Kitwave moves foodservice away from Unitas

Delivered wholesale business Kitwave is to move its foodservice operations away from Unitas later this year following a detailed review.

According to recent reports, Kitwave’s MJ Baker, Millers and Westcountry businesses will leave the group in October 2024, while the retail and on-trade elements of the Kitwave business will remain with Unitas. This includes Turner & Wright, HB Clark, Eden Farm, Automatic Retailing, Westone Wholesale, M&M Value and Squirrels.

Ben Maxted, CEO of Kitwave, said, “We have ambitious plans for foodservice which will no doubt include further acquisitions, and after discussions we both agreed that now is the time for that part of our business to step out of Unitas. I would like to thank the Unitas team for helping to develop our foodservice operations over the years.”

“We have exciting growth plans for Kitwave and as the UK’s largest buying group, we see Unitas as a key strategic partner to support us on delivering these longer term growth plans. We have had a long and successful relationship with Unitas, and previously Today’s group, and we see this continuing,” reports quoted Maxted as saying.

John Kinney, MD of Unitas, said, “Kitwave is a fantastic business with fantastic growth plans, and we look forward to working together even more closely with the team as they continue to expand and grow their retail and on trade businesses.”