US business Boulder Brands has acquired Cheshire gluten-free baking businesses Davies Bakery, previously part of Frank Roberts and Sons.
Boulder Brands plans to launch 50 new gluten-free products in the UK
Boulder Brands will establish a subsidiary company in the UK, Boulder Brands UK, and will look to introduce its Udi's Gluten Free Foods brand later in the year.
The deal – for an undisclosed sum – will see the manufacture and distribution of more than 50 Udi's products throughout the UK.
Steve Hughes, ceo and chairman at Boulder Brands, said the deal would provide a huge boost to the gluten-free sector.
Cult-like
"The Udi's brand leads the gluten-free category in the US by making the most delicious and innovative products without sacrificing taste or texture. With a cult-like fan base, Udi's sales skyrocketed from 1.2M in 2009 to 6M in 2012.
"The acquisition of Davies Bakery, with their heritage and baking expertise, is a step forward to bring the same high-quality standards to a growing number of gluten-free consumers in the UK."
Simon Hazlett, md of Boulder Brands UK, added: "Many of these Udi's lines will represent innovative, first to market products, which will give the consumer a much wider offering across all categories of gluten-free."
