£21m Turnover Food Manufacturer Acquired : A £21m-turnover manufacturer in Carlisle specialising in the foodservice sector has been acquired by Flagship Europe.

Calder Foods (pictured) makes products such as sandwich fillings, salads, sauces, marinades, dips and mayonnaise under its own brands ‘Love Fresh’ and ‘Love Sauces’ as well as private labels.

Calder Foods’ founding members Paul Barker and Nigel Harrison will remain in their current positions as joint managing directors following the deal.

In a joint statement, Barker and Harrison said: “We are delighted to be joining the Flagship family.

“The partnership provides a golden opportunity to develop the Calder Foods portfolio, taking advantage of Flagship Europe’s wider customer base in the foodservice sectors to promote sales.”

Russell Maddock, chief executive of Flagship Europe, said: “Calder Foods has an exceptional reputation within the foodservice sector and their products will provide the perfect complement to our own portfolio of ‘Food to Go’ products for this marketplace.

“We look forward to a smooth transition and to further developing both the business and the ‘Love Fresh’ brand under the Flagship Europe umbrella.”

The founders of Calder Foods were advised on the deal by Avondale.