One of the UK’s largest suppliers of edible oil acquires specialist margarine manufacturer

Established in 1930 as an independent family business based in Scotland, Cardowan is a specialist margarine manufacturer, supplying over 20,000 metric tonnes annually to manufacturers and wholesalers across the UK and internationally.

Over its 90-year history, Cardowan has developed specialist techniques and methods to create some of the best bakery products in the world that are also vegan and RSPO certified.

The acquisition will take the combined turnover of the KTC Group to over £550m and further strengthens KTC’s value-added processing capabilities and broadens the group’s product offering.

Following the acquisition, KTC plans to build on the well-invested platform laid down by the Kyle family with continuing capital investment in the Glasgow site to further increase capacity and drive sales growth.

Private equity firm Endless acquired KTC, which supplies more than 250 million litres of edible oil a year, last May.

Headquartered in Wednesbury in the West Midlands and established in 1972, KTC’s founding family have grown the business to more than £400m turnover, four production sites and 450 employees.

Last year, Endless said the acquisition would provide additional investment for KTC’s ambitious growth plans through further development of its operations, range and service offerings. The investment in KTC adds another British food business to Endless’ existing portfolio, which includes Hovis, Bright Blue Foods and Yorkshire Premier Meat."

Aidan Robson, partner at Endless, said: “We are delighted to be supporting KTC with its acquisition of Cardowan and we hope this is the first of many acquisitions KTC will be undertaking over the coming years.

"Cardowan will help grow the sales and volume of the group, as well as broadening the offering to all existing KTC customers.”

John Kyle, chairman and owner of Cardowan, said: “As a longstanding family business with a rich heritage, it was crucial to find the right home for Cardowan - we have found this in KTC, who are an excellent cultural and business fit.

"This deal represents an exciting opportunity to accelerate Cardowan’s strategic growth plans and is a compelling addition to KTC”

Paresh Mehta, chief executive of KTC, added: “The purchase of Cardowan by KTC is excellent news for both businesses.

"We are excited by the opportunities that Cardowan brings to KTC to expand our offering and to service all our customers.

"I would like to thank John Kyle and Lesley McGhee for their support throughout the process and congratulate them on building a worldclass business.

"We recognise the importance of the company’s heritage and production methods that have been nurtured for almost a century, and we look forward to welcoming the Cardowan team into the KTC family.”

KTC was advised by Eversheds Sutherland, KPMG and Interpath Advisory. Cardowan was advised by PwC and Shepherd and Wedderburn.