Months after successfully securing the Meatless Farm company, the UK vegan food brand VFC Foods Ltd has announced it will also acquire the pie company Clive’s Purely Plants. Annual sales for the group are expected to increase by 30% as a consequence of this move. As well as acquiring the Clive’s brand, VFC has purchased Clive’s Dartmouth production facility, in the west of England.
Clive’s Purely Plants produces plant-based pies, vegan savoury tarts, vegan quiches, and nut roasts. VFC says that these complement its existing portfolio while “aligning with the company’s overarching mission of removing animals from the food chain.”
Esther Pearson, Clive’s managing director, said to Vegan Food and Living, “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.” Pearson will continue to remain a shareholder at Clive’s, which will operate as a subsidiary of VFC Foods with full support from its existing team.
Dave Sparrow, the Group CEO, said: “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 food service 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. 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.”
