South West foodservice suppliers come together

Independent foodservice supplier Charles Saunders Foodservice has acquired Bristolian neighbour Victoria Foods.

Victoria Foods specialises in supplying nursing homes with fresh and frozen food, non-food and cleaning products. The family-owned firm was established more than 37 years ago and will continue to run independently.

The deal will enable Victoria Foods' customers to access Charles Saunders' product range, and as the company's new parent is a member of buying group Fairway Foodservice, it will also be able to offer Fairway Foodservice's own brands.

Darren Gaulton, managing director at Charles Saunders Foodservice, said of the acquisition: "This is something that myself and Victoria Foods founder, Anthony Morris, have been discussing for quite some time and the collaboration of two family businesses always had an attractive appeal for us both."

Regarding future plans, he detailed: "We have kept everyone on in the business and even signed an extension of the lease. Moreover, we will be investing in a new IT system to match what we currently have at Charles Saunders, which will be installed by the end of November."

Furthermore, Charles Saunders will be investing in new temperature-controlled vehicles in the new year, joining its current fleet of 30, so that it can offer the Victoria Foods supply chain fresh meat, fruit and vegetables, in addition to other local products and a range of cleaning and hygiene products.

Victoria Foods' customers will be able to place their orders through the firm's newly updated app and online. Operators will be able to access their account 24/7, have visibility of all stock and search by brand and product code. Next day deliveries are offered if ordered by 10pm the day before.

This is the fourth company that Charles Saunders has acquired since 2007, as it continues to grow the company and provide service to the independent sector.