Michael Keogh, owner of Bite Group RMG196
ONE of Enniskillen’s biggest employers, who reportedly lost a key contract recently, has been being bought out by one the UK’s largest chilled food manufacturers at the weekend.
Around 100 jobs have been saved and it is understood new jobs could be created after The Bite Group was taken over by London-based Adelie Foods, which specialises in the ‘food-to-go’ market and makes over five million sandwiches each week.
The Bite Group, which makes takeaway food for supermarkets and cafes, went into administration last Friday. It is understood the company had suffered cash flow problem after loosing a large contract.
However, Bite founder Michael Keogh said the new deal with Adelie Foods now means the business can expand and create further jobs into the future. “I had been speaking to Adelie for months and am delighted to conclude our discussions,” said Mr Keogh.
“The deal is a great opportunity for both businesses and will allow us to extend our existing customer offer and enable them to share with us the exciting opportunities that lay ahead. I am looking forward to working with Adelie and hopefully creating more employment opportunities within the region in the future.”
Adelie Foods’ Director of International Business Mark Keating said his company was “delighted” to have acquired The Bite Group. “This will further strengthen our intention to be the leading food-to-go supplier in the UK and Irish markets,” he said. “I am extremely excited by the opportunities that the deal will provide both us and our customers for future growth.”
The Bite Group was founded by Mr Keogh in 1998, starting out supplying shops in Fermanagh. It has grown to become a leading manufacturer and business supplier across Ireland, and invested in a new 20,000sq ft state-of-the art production facility at Lackaboy Road during 2007. The firm now has distribution centres in Enniskillen, Belfast, Dublin and Cork.
Adelie Foods employs around 2,800 people at 11 manufacturing plants and distributions locations across the UK and currently supplies the retail, coffee shop, contract catering and travel sectors with a wide range of branded and private label sandwiches, salads and snack foods. The company also owns the URBAN eat brand.
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