Bestway Wholesale has today (June 4) announced the acquisition of DB Ramsden & Co Ltd, trading as Dee Bee Wholesale, the long-established, family-owned, independent wholesaler serving more than 1,400 retail and on-trade customers across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
Founded in 1961, Dee Bee Wholesale has been operating for more than 65 years with reported annual sales of approximately £57 million in its last financial year. The company employs 87 colleagues across its two depots in Hull and Grimsby.
The acquisition forms part of Bestway Wholesale’s continued strategic growth plans and further strengthens its regional footprint, delivered wholesale capability and support for independent retailers, convenience customers and on-trade operators across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
The acquisition brings together two entrepreneurial businesses with deep roots in independent wholesale and retail, and underlines Bestway’s continued investment in the sector at a time when retailers are seeking strong, stable and well-invested wholesale partners.
Dawood Pervez, Managing Director of Bestway Wholesale, said: “We are delighted to welcome Dee Bee Wholesale into the Bestway Wholesale network. Dee Bee is a long-established family business with more than 65 years of customer service heritage, loyal customer base and detailed regional knowledge across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
“This reflects our continued confidence in the future of independent wholesale and retail”.
Nick Ramsden, Managing Director of Dee Bee Wholesale, said: “This marks an important milestone for Dee Bee Wholesale and the next stage in the business’s journey.
"Bestway Wholesale is a business with significant scale, ambition and a strong commitment to supporting independent retailers and customers. I am confident that becoming part of the Bestway Wholesale network will create new opportunities for the business and bring long-term benefits for customers, colleagues and suppliers alike.
"Customers can be reassured that it is very much business as usual. Our team, service and local relationships remain in place, and we will continue to support customers with the same commitment and service they have come to expect.
"As the business becomes integrated into the wider Bestway Wholesale network, customers will also benefit from access to Bestway’s competitive pricing, market-leading promotions and extensive product range, creating an even stronger proposition for the future.”
Pervez concluded: “Both businesses share a long-standing commitment to customer service, independent retail and supporting local businesses
“The acquisition reinforces our ambition, our confidence in the wholesale sector and our commitment to being the partner of choice for independent retailers and suppliers across the UK.”
Unitas can confirm that Dee Bee Wholesale has ceased to be a member of Unitas following its acquisition with immediate effect.
Dee Bee has been a longstanding and valued member of the group, with strong historical links to the wholesale sector and to the organisations that ultimately came together to form Unitas. The group would like to thank Nick Ramsden and the Dee Bee team for their contribution over many years and wish them every success for the future.
The transaction reflects ongoing change within the UK wholesale market, where businesses continue to adapt to evolving customer requirements and challenging economic conditions.
Unitas remains the UK’s largest wholesale buying group and continues to be focused on delivering value, support and growth opportunities for its independent wholesale members. Its priorities remain unchanged: strengthening member competitiveness, driving collaborative growth with our supplier partners and helping our members succeed in an increasingly dynamic marketplace.
John Kinney, CEO, Unitas Wholesale said: “Dee Bee has played an important role in the history of our group, and we thank the Ramsden family and their colleagues for their contribution over many years. While we are naturally sorry to see them leave the membership, we respect their decision and wish them every success. Our focus remains firmly on supporting our members and continuing to deliver the scale, value and services that help independent wholesalers thrive."
Nick Ramsden, Managing Director of Dee Bee Wholesale, said: “Our family's association with the organisations that ultimately became Unitas stretches back many decades, and we are immensely grateful for the support, partnership and friendship we have enjoyed throughout that time. I would like to personally thank the Unitas team, our fellow members and supplier partners for their unwavering support. We wish everyone connected with Unitas continued success in the years ahead.”