Weekly news summary 17th July 2015
HEADLINES THIS WEEK:
– INVERARITY MORTON LAUNCHES CRAFT BEER RANGE
– FIVE EMPLOYEES COMPLETE 20 YEARS’ SERVICE WITH WING YIP
– KFF SUPPLIES KENT PRODUCE TO LANDMARK SITES
KITWAVE ACQUIRES HULLEYS FROZEN FOODS
Kitwave Wholesale Group now embraces 11 companies following the purchase of Angelbell, trading as Hulleys Frozen Foods.
The latest addition – a family-run concern – has been in business for over 80 years.
Operating from six sites (the Sheffield headquarters; Nottingham; Louth, Lincs; Norwich; Kingswinford, West Midlands; and Kirkham, Lancs), Hulleys specialises in ice cream but also carries an extensive frozen food range.
The purchase by Kitwave comes a year after that of another frozen food specialist, Eden Farm, of Peterlee, Co Durham.
The growing chain, based in Newcastle upon Tyne, was established in 1987 as a vehicle to acquire independent wholesale businesses.
Four years ago, it was supported by NVM Private Equity, which provided the company with £7.5 million of investment.
Kitwave, which now has around 30,000 customers, is headed by managing director Paul Young, along with group finance director David Brind.
Tel: Kitwave Group 0191-259 2277
INVERARITY MORTON LAUNCHES CRAFT BEER RANGE
Glasgow-based independent wine & spirit merchants Inverarity Morton has introduced a dedicated craft beer range, comprising over 250 beers in kegs, cans and bottles.
Featuring products from 15 Scottish and 35 international brewers, the selection includes low abv, alcohol-free and gluten-free lines.
Ian Cumming, commercial director at Inverarity Morton, said: “We’re a wine-focused business at heart but it’s been hard to ignore the resurgence in the popularity of craft beer over the last few years. Some have been loud, some have been not so loud, but proud is a word that definitely applies when we see the wealth of incredible beer being produced in Britain and abroad.
“In recognition of all their great work, we’ve introduced a craft beer portfolio spanning all the continents. Brewdog, Stewart Brewing, Drygate, Williams Bros, Windswept and Jaw Brew are just some of the homegrown brewers represented.”
Inverarity Morton’s customer base covers the entire licensed trade. The majority of its customers are based in Scotland, but about 10% of its business comes from England.
Tel: Inverarity Morton 0141-649 9881
TWENTY YEARS’ SERVICE WITH WING YIP
Five Wing Yip employees have completed 20 years’ service at the Croydon branch – from the day it started trading.
They are Winson Lee, Neil Barnett, Michael Wong, Ying Wai Cheng and Wai Fan Man, all of whom received gold watches to mark their longevity with the oriental food business.
Store director Albert Yip, who presented the awards, said: “We’re immensely proud to have been part of the community for 20 years; our Chinese arches have become somewhat of a local landmark.
“The five members of staff joined as cashiers or warehousemen, and several of them now have managerial roles.”
Left to right: Winson Lee, Neil Barnett, Croydon Store Manager Albert Yip, Michael Wong, Ying Wai Cheng. Also celebrating 20 years with the business, but not pictured, is Wai Fan Man.
Tel: Wing Yip 0121-327 6618
KFF SUPPLIES KENT PRODUCE TO LANDMARKS
Visitors to Kent landmarks Hever Castle, Leeds Castle and Penshurst Place can now buy more locally sourced products, thanks to the ‘Produced in Kent’ range supplied by wholesaler kff.
The selection includes Kent honey ham, Owlet juices, Kent crisps, Speldhurst sausages and Wooden Spoon strawberry jam.
kff managing director Chris Beckley said: “We are delighted to have been chosen as a supplier of locally sourced produce at such renowned tourism sites.
“We champion and promote the quality and variety of home-grown food available to people within the area of the sites, whether they are visitors or residents.”
Tel: kff (0550) 829798
