Bell's buys Keebles of Scotland

Eurofood, Dec 3, 1998

One of Scotland's fastest growing food companies, Bell's Bakers, has acquired the cake maker Keebles of Scotland for an undisclosed sum. Keebles will now become a whollyowned subsidiary of Bell's Bakers, which will develop sales at the Livingston-based group by providing the financial muscle to penetrate further into the UK and overseas markets. Alison Campbell, Keebles' main shareholder and managing director, will remain on the Keebles board as a director.

Keebles makes a range of cake products for most of the UK multiples, including banana and carrot cakes and its new Harlequin range of individual cakes and slices. Its sales this year are estimated at 3m [pounds sterling] (ECU4.3m). Bell's also provides the major UK retailers with a range of cake products, including its famous Kirriemuir Gingerbread. Its sales this year will be around 10m [pounds sterling].