Kitwave moves foodservice business out of Unitas

After a detailed review, Kitwave and Unitas have mutually agreed that it would be in both parties’ interest for Kitwave’s foodservice businesses to move out of Unitas. Therefore, MJ Baker, Miller Food Service and WestCountry will leave the group in October 2024 and have become members of Fairway Foodservice.

Ben Maxted: ‘Now is the time for that part of our business to step out of Unitas.’

However, Kitwave has confirmed that membership of Unitas remains paramount to the future growth and success of its retail and on-trade businesses: Turner & Wright, HB Clark, Eden Farm, Automatic Retailing, Westone Wholesale, M&M Value and Squirrels.

Ben Maxted, CEO of Kitwave, said: “We have exciting growth plans for Kitwave, and as the UK’s largest buying group, we see Unitas as a key strategic partner to support us on delivering these longer term growth plans. We have had a long and successful relationship with Unitas, and previously Today’s group, and we see this continuing.

“We have ambitious plans for foodservice which will no doubt include further acquisitions, and after discussions we both agreed that now is the time for that part of our business to step out of Unitas. I would like to thank the Unitas team for helping to develop our foodservice operations over the years.”

John Kinney, MD of Unitas, added: “Kitwave is a fantastic business with fantastic growth plans, and we look forward to working together even more closely with the team as they continue to expand and grow their retail and on trade businesses.”

Published Date: May 3, 2024