Vegan chicken brand VFC Foods Ltd has announced it will acquire plant-based pie company Clive’s Purely Plants – just months after successfully securing Meatless Farm.
According to VFC, final-stage due diligence is ‘expected to conclude in a matter of days’, marking a deal which will ‘undoubtedly reshape the landscape of plant-based offerings’.
As a result of the acquisition, which has been described as a ‘strategic move’ which marks a ‘substantial expansion’ for VFC, annual sales for the group are expected to increase by 30 per cent.
Clive’s Purely Plants is VFC’s second acquisition in less than four months, after it bought Meatless Farm in June.
As well as acquiring the Clive’s brand, VFC has purchased Clive’s Dartmouth production facility, marking VFC Foods’ first foray into primary manufacturing.
According to VFC, the facility’s substantial production capacity and potential for innovation means the group is ‘poised for significant growth in the plant-based food sector’. It adds that a new trade-facing identity will be unveiled in the near future.
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Clive’s Purely Plants
According to a statement sent to Vegan Food & Living, Clive’s has a strong presence in a number of major retailers.
These include Waitrose, Ocado, Asda, and Abel & Cole, with a further ‘big 5’ listing from December to be announced.
The brand is known for its pies, savoury tarts, vegan quiches, and nut roasts, which VFC says complement its existing portfolio while ‘aligning with the company’s overarching mission of removing animals from the food chain’.
Clive’s managing director, Esther Pearson, said: “We are thrilled to have found a like-minded partner in VFC Foods to support us through this period of accelerated growth.
“We are committed to maintaining business as usual with all existing customers and ensuring that we uphold our high standards of customer service.”
Under the new deal, Esther will continue to remain a shareholder at Clive’s, which will will operate as a subsidiary of VFC Foods with full support from its existing team.
A ‘formidable player’
Group CEO, Dave Sparrow, added: “The acquisition of Clive’s, following the successful addition of Meatless Farm, positions VFC Foods as a formidable player in the market.
“With three strong brands experiencing substantial growth, we are well-positioned to further penetrate the retail and foodservice sectors in the UK and Europe.
“What excites us the most is the diverse range of products we can offer consumers, from enticing meat alternatives to wholesome and delicious vegetable-based options, making us one of the most diversified players in the category.”
He added that reducing meat consumption is ‘crucial for a healthier and more sustainable future’, noting that consumers are ‘increasingly seeking varied options in the plant-based aisle, including high-quality vegetable-based products’.
Dave continued: “As a Non-Executive Director, I have witnessed Clive’s impressive growth under Esther Pearson’s leadership, which made this acquisition particularly appealing. We look forward to working closely with Esther and her team to seamlessly integrate Clive’s into our expanding family of brands.”
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Featured image © VFC
