Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

A tidy package: IBC Simply acquires March Foods

A tidy package: IBC Simply acquires March Foods

Italian Beverage Company (IBC Simply), a presence in foodservice for over 25 years, acquired March Foods, one of the UK’s leading co-packing and co-manufacturing companies on 14 December, creating a new combination in UK food and drink manufacturing and packing.

The acquisition sees the expertise and knowledge of the two long-standing companies in the foodservice industry coming together under a new parent group, Delightful Food Group, propelling them towards unprecedented growth opportunities through cutting-edge technology, innovative packaging formats and enhanced capabilities.


IBC Simply logo highres

Delightful Food Group is headed by the co-owner of IBC Simply, Ricky Flax, who will continue to run the business day to day and drive growth across the newly formed parent group, bringing IBC’s family-run values to the new group. March Foods’ operations will remain unchanged and the entire team will continue to be led by the current managing director Steven Dor, providing continuity for customers.

“We’re delighted to be able to announce the acquisition of March Foods, which will bring huge benefits to both companies and of course to our customers and the industry as a whole," said Flax. "We plan to invest in new technologies, enhance our product manufacturing capabilities and open up more opportunities for customers, offering a totally rounded solution.

Delightful main@4x 100

“We have been working successfully together with March Foods for many years, and the synergy between product and manufacturing was the perfect match to grow both businesses to the next level. Both brands complement each other and now customers can benefit from the teams across the group, particularly those with unique offerings or who need support with NPD using our combined knowledge and experience in innovation.

“We see this acquisition as the first step of a growth plan for Delightful Food Group and we’re excited to see where our journey takes us.”

Stephen Dor, managing director of March Foods, added: “We’re looking forward to demonstrating the benefits to our customers of this joined up approach to co-manufacturing and co-packing and seeing the results of the planned investment in the very latest technology, equipment and packaging formats.”

More for you

Vape ban announcement sparks industry concerns over public health and black-market risks
A selection of disposable vapes with bright and colourful packaging are seen in a convenience store, on January 29, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Vape ban announcement sparks industry concerns over public health and black-market risks

The decision to ban disposable vapes by June 2025 has sparked strong reactions across the vaping and retail sectors, with key industry figures voicing concerns about the impact on public health and called for a balanced approach to support smokers switching to vaping as a safer alternative.

A spokesperson of Elfbar, the leading disposable vape brand, highlighted the role of the product in smoking cessation, citing that “nearly three million people in Britain have quit smoking using vapes in the last five years,” with single-use vapes comprising over 60 per cent of the UK market.

Keep ReadingShow less
High streets pay over 'one third of UK's business rates'
(Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

High streets pay over 'one third of UK's business rates'

High streets in the UK are collectively pay one third of all business rates while accounting for 9 per cent of the economy, British Retail Consortium (BRC) stated on Thursday (24), strengthening its call for a fairer level of business rates for hospitality and retail.

BRC and UKHospitalityare united in their call for the Chancellor to implement a fairer level of business rates for hospitality and retail at the Budget, which will rebalance a system that unfairly punishes our high streets and town centres. This was a manifesto pledge from Labour ahead of the election.

Keep ReadingShow less
Family-run Nisa store to become Spar NI after 27 years

Family-run Nisa store to become Spar NI after 27 years

Northern Ireland family-run Nisa convenience store has come under Spar NI after 27 years following its acquisition by Henderson Retail. Nisa Circle K Silverwood store in Lurgan was operated by local retailer Patrick Hughes for the past 27 years.

Nisa Silverwood was acquired by Patrick Hughes in 1997. In the past 27 years the store has undergone significant developments due to Hughes' investments to help the business grow and provide more local jobs over the years.

Keep ReadingShow less
'Despondent mood' as consumer confidence weakens ahead of Budget
iStock image

'Despondent mood' as consumer confidence weakens ahead of Budget

UK consumers are in a “despondent mood” as households brace for tax rises in the Budget next week, amid fears that Britain could be entering a “vibecession”, a situation of disconnect between the economy's performance and how people feel about their finances

Research firm GfK’s monthly survey of consumer morale shows confidence has slipped this month, to -21 points, the joint lowest this year. It found that households are gloomier about the general economic situation of the country during the last 12 months, and also over the next year.

Keep ReadingShow less
A top tipple to celebrate with this Diwali

A top tipple to celebrate with this Diwali

Nick Gillett, Co-founder and Managing Director of successful spirits distributor Mangrove Global, celebrates India’s contribution to classic toasts with its wonderful and increasingly well-known whiskies

October is here, and our thoughts turn to many of the remaining celebrations of the year – and first up we have Diwali. A time for lavish decorations, food, sweets, and drinks, Diwali begs the question: what will you have in your glass for a toast? For me there’s one answer, and it’s whisky.

Keep ReadingShow less