Italian Beverage Company acquires Cambridgeshire firm

Hertfordshire-based Italian Beverage Company has acquired March Foods, a co-packing and co-manufacturing firm based in Cambridgeshire. The acquisition will unite the two long-standing foodservice industry companies under the new Delightful Food Group parent company, with the Italian Beverage Company saying the deal was an attempt to “create a new force”.

Delightful Food Group will be headed by IBC Simply co-owner Ricky Flax, who will seek to drive growth at the new parent company while continuing to run the business’ day-to-day operations. Operations at March Foods will remain unchanged, with the company’s team continuing to be led by existing Managing Director Steven Dor.

Ricky Flax said that the acquisition would bring “huge benefits to both companies”, as well as their customers and the wider industry. He continued: "We plan to invest in new technologies, enhance our product manufacturing capabilities and open up more opportunities for customers, offering a totally rounded solution.”

The two companies have worked together for several years, with Flax saying that “the synergy between product and manufacturing was the perfect match to grow both businesses to the next level” and adding that the brand and team would complement each other and delivered improved service for customers.

Flax said that the company viewed the acquisition as “the first step of a growth plan for Delightful Food Group”.

Steven Dor added: "Being a part of the newly formed Delightful Food Group is a hugely positive move for March Foods and will enable the business to develop and grow to the next level thanks to the experience and vision of Ricky Flax and his team who we already share a close relationship with.”

"We're looking forward to demonstrating the benefits to our customers of this joined up approach to co-manufacturing and co-packing and seeing the results of the planned investment in the very latest technology, equipment and packaging formats."


Read about M&A in the wider food industry

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