Investment firm takes over Motherwell-based ingredient distributor

Dublin-based food and agribusiness investor Roebuck Food Group has acquired Moorhead & McGavin, a food ingredient distribution business in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire.

As part of the deal, Nadia Brady will join the ingredient company as commercial director, leveraging her more than 20 years in senior commercial roles within UK food businesses.

A limited company since 1923, Moorhead & McGavin specialises in supplying pulses, cereals, pasta, rice and flours to the food industry.

The company’s customer base includes major players such as Aldi, Brakes, Kerry, Princes, Baxters, the NHS, Stirling Group and Booker.

Moorhead & McGavin's managing director Marko Dafereras believes the acquisition will “enhance and support” the Scottish company’s growth plans as well as strengthening its position as an “under-one-roof food and ingredients provider for foodservice, retailers, and manufacturers”.

He added: “Moorhead & McGavin and Roebuck are deeply client-centric, and together, we will deliver maximum value and an improved product range for our customers.”

Roebuck sold its Norish cold storage assets for £55.2m in 2021. Since then, the group has been actively seeking acquisitions and strategic partnerships that will help it strengthen its market presence and capitalise on emerging innovations and opportunities in the food and agri sectors.

The investor’s CEO Kieran Mahon commented: “We actively seek investments that will help us diversify and broaden our portfolio in the food and agri space. We are excited about Moorhead's growth potential and the quality and integrity of the team behind it. It represents everything we are looking for in a partner acquisition."

Roebuck also owns Townview Foods, based in Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland, and Cantwellscourt Farm in Kilkenny, Ireland.