The Sun Valley Nut Company, the family firm which was founded in 1949, has been sold to the group behind the likes of Baileys Chocolates, NOMO and The Fruit Factory.
Zertus 海角视频 has snapped up the Wirral-based firm for an undisclosed sum.
The buyer's brands also include Forest of Hope, Kinnerton Confectionery and Lir Chocolates while it makes Baileys Chocolates in partnership with Diageo. It also owns Hull-headquartered Humdinger Foods, producer of branded and own-label healthy snacks.
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Sun Valley is a supplier of peanut and nut-based snacking products through the private label, food service and food ingredients channels.
The company has three operational facilities spread across two sites based in Bromborough, Wirral, which Zertus will take over operations for, with production of Sun Valley to continue on-site.
In the most recently-published accounts for Sun Valley's parent company, Goodwood Holdings, revenue totalled £45.5m for the 2020 while pre-tax profits £227,973.
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Paul Tripp, Zertus 海角视频 & Ireland CEO, said: "This is a strong acquisition for Zertus in the 海角视频 and one that complements our existing businesses in the healthier snacking sector.
"It will allow us to leverage our combined innovation and operational competencies to drive growth through exciting new products while enabling us to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations."
Jim Hacking, chairman of Sun Valley Nut Company, added: "We believe that in Zertus we have found the right long-term owner for the business.
"We’re confident that Zertus can make the necessary investments needed to take the business to the next level whilst preserving the heritage of the Sun Valley business we have lovingly built over the last 72 years."
Freeths' corporate team advised Zertus 海角视频 on the acquisition.
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James Cowell, who led the team, said: "We’re delighted to have advised Zertus on this strategic acquisition and wish it every success in developing the business within its wider group.
"We’ve enjoyed working with Paul and his other advisers in delivering a successful transaction and wish the sellers well in the future."
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Zertus was advised by MDBAS (corporate finance and lead advisor), led by Mark Devine, PWC (financial due diligence), led by Joel Smith supported by Ben Ferguson, Freeth’s (legal), led by James Cowell and Emily Settle, and LEK (commercial due diligence), led by Dominic Miles.
Sun Valley was advised by Hurst Corporate Finance (corporate finance, tax and lead advisor), led by Ben Bradley supported by James Thompson, and DAC Beachcroft (legal), led by Paul Ellaby supported by Max Ankers.