IBC Simply and March Foods join forces as Delightful Food Group

Food and beverage supplier Italian Beverage Company (IBC Simply) has acquired UK food packaging and manufacturing company March Foods.

Both companies will come together under a new parent business, Delightful Food Group, with a view to accessing growth opportunities using technology and new packaging formats.

IBC Simply's co-owner, Ricky Flax, will continue to run the business day-to-day, as well as leading the new group as CEO. March Foods' operations will continue to be led by the current managing director Steven Dor.

Flax said: "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. We plan to invest in new technologies, enhance our product manufacturing capabilities and open up more opportunities for customers, offering a totally rounded solution.

"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."

March's Stephen Dor commented: "Being a part of the newly formed Delightful Food Group is a hugely positive move for March Foods and will enable the business to develop and grow to the next level thanks to the experience and vision of Ricky Flax and his team who we already share a close relationship with.

"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."