Brakes’ parent company acquires Scottish meat supplier

Foodservice wholesaler Sysco GB, the parent firm of Brakes, has acquired Campbell’s Prime Meat, a specialist meat and fish supplier in Scotland.

Campbell’s Prime Meat generated £69m turnover in 2023 and currently employs 325 people at its Linlithgow site.

Over the past 100 years it has provided meat, fish and deli products to food businesses and consumers in Scotland and through online sales across the UK. 

Campbell’s Prime Meat will continue to operate as a separate business but will now have Sysco’s backing, which the wholesaler believes will bring opportunities for a broader range of products within the enlarged Sysco GB group and access to new customers within its ecosystem.

Paul Nieduszynski, CEO of Sysco GB, said: “Campbell’s Prime Meat is a great business with a fantastic reputation for producing high quality meat, fish and deli items, combined with exceptional levels of service and championing independent customers in Scotland. We believe that it is a brilliant fit for Sysco and will bring a huge benefit for our customers by strengthening our Scottish proposition.

“We’re very keen to work with high quality and complementary businesses like Campbell’s Prime Meat, which can add value to Sysco and enhance our customer proposition.”

Christopher Campbell, CEO of Campbell’s Prime Meat, called Sysco the “perfect partner” for the next stage in the company’s development, adding: “Over the past century, we’ve worked tirelessly to build a reputation as the leading catering butcher in Scotland, and we’ve been impressed at how Sysco wants to support and encourage us to continue that journey.

“With the additional route to market that Sysco offers, we can bring our quality meat, fish and deli products to an entirely new audience. We are very much looking forward to an exciting new phase in the company’s development.”

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Last year Sysco GB invested £15m in Brakes Scotland’s Newhouse depot, with the aim of growing the number of Scottish products it sells.