WFF Crieff Limited, the operator of a large Wiltshire Farm Foods (“WFF”) business in East Central Scotland, has been sold to apetito Limited, the parent of the WFF business in the UK. WFF is the UK’s leading frozen meals delivery service, operating a franchise model with over 70 franchisees in the UK.

The deal was initiated, and full deal management services were provided to the Sellers, by Smith Cooper.

The Seller, comprising various members of the Lamont family, were amongst the earliest UK franchisees, starting their WFF business in Crieff, north of Edinburgh, in 1992. Since then they successfully built the business to become a multi-million pound turnover operation delivering over 1 million meals a year in a territory north and south of Edinburgh.

apetito Limited, which operates its franchise business through WFF in the UK, is a subsidiary of German headquartered apetito group which has operations in Germany, France, the Netherlands and Canada as well as in the UK. The group, which has a turnover of over €800m and employs over 8,000, manufactures and supplies carefully nutritiously balanced meals to Care Homes, Local Authorities and Hospitals and, through WFF, to individual householders.

 

Former owner and Managing Director Douglas Lamont commented “Wiltshire Farm Foods is the clear market leader in its sector and we have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of its growth story and success over the last 23 years here in Crieff. As regards our advisers, the skill and professionalism shown by Smith Cooper exceeded the family expectations resulting in a very swift completion to everyone’s mutual satisfaction. They come with our highest recommendation”.

Completed:
May 16

Smith Cooper Team
John Farnsworth
David Crump

Experts that advised on this deal

David Crump

Corporate Finance Director

Derby