GM Marketing announces acquisition of FAVOURIT Foods, creating 12 Belfast jobs
Brand-building distributor, GM Marketing, has today announced their acquisition of Belfast based herbs & spice producer, FAVOURIT Foods.
Established in 1914, FAVOURIT is Northern Ireland’s oldest manufacturer of Herbs & Spices, supplying Irish retail and foodservice sectors for over one-hundred years with quality food ingredients.
Commenting on the sale, FAVOURIT Foods incumbent owner, Sean McCrory says “the Brand has been a much-loved part of our family now for over ten years, but the time was right to pass it onto a partner who will accelerate its growth and drive it into the next phase. We’re delighted GM Marketing have adopted the brand and I have no doubt, they’ll achieve great success across many markets.”
Operating across the UK and Ireland, GM Marketing are a brand-building distributor, focused on core grocery categories, and home to household names such as Tilda Rice, Fox’s Biscuits and Nando’s sauces, as well as a growing owned brand portfolio – making this acquisition the distributor’s first move into food manufacturing.
Commenting on the news, GM Marketing’s Managing Director, Gerard McAdorey said “we’re absolutely delighted to complete the acquisition of FAVOURIT and welcome the team on-board. The Brand has so much heritage and history steeped in Belfast; it was an opportunity we couldn’t pass by. As a business, we are already supplying herbs & spices to market-leading retailers in Ireland, so this is a natural next step in the development of our business strategy and future growth plans.”
The business venture is positive news for the Northern Ireland economy, as a new production facility is planned for north Belfast and will be supported with investment in people, infrastructure, and equipment, creating twelve new jobs.
McAdorey commented, “at a time of economic uncertainty, we’re delighted this venture allows us to invest in creating new job opportunities within the local area”.
Brexit has also been a driving force in the decision for McAdorey as he says, “with the complexities surrounding Country of Origin because of Brexit – being a manufacturer and providing Irish produce within Ireland is now key. While this may be our first move into manufacturing, it certainly forms part of a long-term strategy for our future growth plans”.
With established distribution hubs in Belfast and Leeds, FAVOURIT will benefit from the experienced commercial team within GM, who will drive the brand into new territories and customers across the coming months, with marketing plans already in place to relaunch the brand later this year.