North Yorkshire-based bakery business Cooplands is back in local hands.
The brand was founded in Scarborough in 1885. Now Coopland & Son (Scarbrorough) Ltd, based at the Pindar Business Park, has acquired the company from global brand EG Group.
The management buy-in has been led by David Salkeld, who will reassume his role as chairman.
He’s supported by Paul Coopland, from the original Cooplands family, who will return to the organisation as non-executive director.
John Ruddock, who has been with the business for over 20 years, will continue as chief executive. Two new executives, John Kitson (finance) and Steph McGinty (HR & transformation director), complete the team.
Cooplands owns and operates two bakeries that manufacture freshly baked products distributed through its supply and logistics network to 154 stores, predominantly across Yorkshire and the north-east.
Cooplands, which was founded by Frederick and Alice Coopland, started as a pork butcher and pie maker 140 years ago and employs more than 1,400 people.
John Ruddock, CEO of Cooplands, said: “It is with genuine pride that we announce today’s purchase, which brings Cooplands back under the management of a locally based team with strong and established knowledge of our organisation, our colleagues, suppliers and customers.
“This gives us the opportunity to focus on strategic growth for the future, whilst preserving the traditional values and excellence for which the brand has been known and respected for over 140 years.”
A spokesperson for EG Group said: “This sale represents another positive step in EG Group’s ongoing strategy to focus on its core markets in the US and Europe, as the group develops a platform for further growth through its world-class grocery & merchandise, foodservice and fuel retail proposition.
“The transaction, which also completed today, brings the Cooplands business into the ownership of a management team that is well-positioned to support it in its next chapter.”
