Hider buys Butler’s Grove after Dart Valley administration
Hider Foods has taken a big stride into food production after buying the brands, including Butler’s Grove, and equipment of Hampshire-based Dart Valley Foods, which recently went into administration.
The Yorkshire-based distributor will now exclusively offer the full 150-strong product portfolio under the Butler’s Grove brand, as well as own label items, to independent retailers across the UK.
The categories covered include jams, honeys, patés, biscuits, confectionery, chutneys, pickles, sauces and relishes.
Production has been set up at Hider’s Hull HQ, where it has already relocated stock, labels and machinery from Dart Valley’s previous Hampshire site.
While Hider has processed dried nuts, fruit and confectionery for decades, this kind of on-site production represents a major departure.
Hider has also bought the A Taste of the City brand, which features a collection of 12 products inspired by prominent London landmarks, including London Traffic Jam, Mayfair Marmalade and Piccadilly Piccalilli.
Meanwhile, two ex-Dart Valley Food employees have joined Hider. Ex-MD and Dart Valley founder Michael Jolley has taken up a strategic business development role, which will see him develop Hider’s key brands including Butler’s Grove. Sales director David Parry is now a national account manager.
Hider managing director Duncan Hider said: “In recent years, we have invested in our people and our facilities which has put us in good shape for the future.
“The acquisition of Dart Valley assets and brands means we can add Butler’s Grove and A Taste of the City to our key brand portfolio and offer something unique to our customers.”
“We are a business of two halves which allows us to offer a flexible and full-circle service from ingredients sourcing and packing through to distribution and now a bespoke branded range. We are one of the only distributors with a national presence and we work hard to offer fantastic service to our customers.”
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