A family-run Perthshire snack firm has acquired one of the UK’s largest independent popcorn producers.
Taylors Snacks, best known for its soon-to-be rebranded Mackie’s crisps, has purchased the business and assets of South Yorkshire Foods.
The Sheffield-based popcorn manufacturer and supplier produces 12 tonnes of popcorn per day.
The acquisition secures 60 jobs, taking the Errol firm’s headcount to over 120.
It also forms part of a UK-wide growth strategy and brings production of its popcorn range in-house.
Taylors Snacks popcorn across the UK
Taylors Snacks managing director James Taylor said the acquisition makes for an exiting time at the firm.
He said: “South Yorkshire Foods produces a high-quality product packed with flavour, something we pride ourselves on at Taylors Snacks.
“The new business move will not only add staff, it will also add to our ever extending range of products. It made sense right away.”
Taylors’ popcorn will be produced at South Yorkshire Foods’ existing factory, which uses traditional means of cooking popcorn in large kettles.
The Yorkshire firm currently produces 120,000 bags of 100g popcorn every day from its Sheffield factory.
The factory has been earmarked by Taylors as an ideal location for delivering light and bulky goods across the UK.
Rebranded snacks due in 2023
Mr Taylor said he looks forward to welcoming new staff to the team.
“It’s another milestone of growth for us at Taylors Snacks.
“Expanding the business in multiple ways is top of our agenda. We’re glad to be making positive steps towards that,” he said.
“By working hard to create a product that customers around the country love, we’re certain that the purchase of South Yorkshire Foods will be a huge success.”
Taylors Snacks was previously known as Mackie’s at Taypack, a joint venture between the Taylor family and leading ice cream producer Mackie’s of Scotland founded in 2009.
The Taylor family purchased the remaining shares of the snacking business earlier in the year continuing to produce snacks at the fourth-generation Taylor farm.
In the process of transitioning to a Taylors brand, its existing crisps will still be produced in Perthshire.
Its new brand is expected to hit shelves in 2023.
Conversation