Bunzl buys out C&C Catering Equipment

Distribution group Bunzl has acquired family-owned catering equipment distributor and kitchen design house, C&C Catering Equipment, for an undisclosed amount.

C&C Catering Equipment, headquartered in Chester, was founded in 1981 by John and Enid Kitchin, and since 1996 has been run by their son, Peter.

The deal also sees Bunzl gain control of C&C Catering Equipment’s subsidiaries C&C Catering Engineers and C&C Catering Fabrications. All three divisions will report into Aggora, which is another kitchen design house in Bunzl’s stable.

The C&C Catering Equipment group posted a revenue of £25.6m for the financial year ending 30 April 2024.

Managing director Peter Kitchin will continue to lead the business under the new ownership.

He told The Caterer that the deal is the “best thing for me, my family, the business and the people involved in it”, adding: “Having the backing of Bunzl is very important and also having Ross Emery and his team at Aggora will ensure everything runs smoothly.”

He underlined that it will be “business as usual”, saying: “We’ll keep doing what we’ve done for 43 years, delivering great foodservice facilities with the best consultants for the best clients.”

Ross Emery, MD of Aggora, is quoted by Catering Insight as saying: “I am really excited for the next phase of strategic growth for C&C following the acquisition and extend a very warm welcome to all the C&C staff joining the Bunzl family.”

Bunzl has been contacted for further comment.

Earlier this year, Bunzl finalised a £339m deal to acquire an 80% stake in catering equipment wholesaler Nisbets.

Bunzl also owns distributor Lockhart Catering Equipment, while Nisbets’ owned businesses include kitchen design house Space Group, barware supplier Beaumont and Mitre Linen.

For the year ended 31 December 2023, Bunzl generated profit before interest, tax and amortisation of £40.2m.

Pictured, l-r: C&C Catering Equipment’s Matthew Kitchin, Aggora’s Ross Emery and C&C Catering Equipment’s Peter Kitchin.