Mon, 24 Jul 2017 | BUSINESS SALE
Retail snack specialist Graze is being positioned for a £300 million sale by its private-equity owner.
According to a report in the Sunday Telegraph, the healthy snack firm is being offered for sale by The Carlyle Group, a Washington DC-based asset management outfit.
Carlyle took a majority stake in Graze in 2012, with the company being valued at approximately £50 million at the time. The investment group has some experience of dealing with healthy lifestyle-related companies, having just sold health food retailer Holland & Barrett for £1.8 billion to Russian billionaire Mikhail Fridman’s L1 vehicle.
Since its inception, Carlyle has held stakes in US brands such as Dunkin’ Donuts, Getty Images, Hertz and Kinder Morgan.
The investment group are reported to be encouraged by Graze’s yearly sales growth and the wider consumer trend for healthy eating. Last year, sales grew by 3.2 per cent to hit £70.3 million, though Graze’s pre-tax profits fell by 27 per cent thanks to heavy investment into expansion and a revamp of its website.
A formal sale process has been mooted to take place next year.
There is a trend for healthy snacking companies to be snapped up by larger groups: in 2015, for example, Lotus Bakeries swooped for Natural Balance Foods, the maker of Nakd bars, and Urban Fresh Foods, who make Bear fruit snacks.
Graze was incorporated in 2008 by Graham Bosher, co-founder of movie subscription service LoveFilm, and delivered customers small boxes of nuts, seeds, dried fruit and other snack foods to customers.
Since then, the company has a new boss, Anthony Fletcher, formerly of smoothie maker Innocent. He has overseen the launch of a line of snack products to UK and US retailers, including WHSmith, Sainsbury’s and Boots, and opened an online shop for one-off purchases.
Graze products are stocked in more than 7,500 stores across the US, and 9,000 of the UK’s high street shops.
In operation for circa 36 years. Benefits from strong, long-lasting relationships with clients, some of which have been in place for 30 years.
LEASEHOLD
A specialist manufacturer and distributor of engine parts, sourced from around the world. Circa 375 active customers, gaining repeat, reliable business from 90%.
LEASEHOLD
Specialises in the design, installation, maintenance and commissioning of a wide range of security-related products, such as intruder alarms, CCTV, fire alarms, access control, warden calls, safes, padlocks, suited systems and door automation.
LEASEHOLD
|
12
|
|
May
|
Sassoon Academy to appoint administrators | ADMINISTRATION
Hairdressing school Sassoon Academy has revealed that it is ...
|
12
|
|
May
|
Victoria’s Secret to be spun off by L Brands following collapsed Sycamore Partners sale | BUSINESS NEWS
L Brands, the parent company of Victoria’s Secret, has...
|
11
|
|
May
|
Owners of Barry's Amusements remarket iconic attraction | COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
The owners of North Coast tourist attraction Barry's Am...
Sign up to receive our acquisition alert emails to get your FREE guide
|
12
|
|
May
|
Victoria’s Secret to be spun off by L Brands following collapsed Sycamore Partners sale | BUSINESS NEWS
L Brands, the parent company of Victoria’s Secret, has...
|
12
|
|
May
|
Sassoon Academy to appoint administrators | ADMINISTRATION
Hairdressing school Sassoon Academy has revealed that it is ...
|
11
|
|
May
|
JD Sports continues acquisition spree with Oi Polloi deal | BUSINESS SALE
Sports retailer JD Sports has continued its acquisition spre...
Business Sale Report is your complete solution to finding great acquisition opportunities.
Join today to receive:
All this and much more, including the latest M&A news and exclusive resources