M&As

Zertus continues buying spree with acquisition of Sun Valley

By Anthony Myers

- Last updated on GMT

Sun Valley is a UK supplier of high-quality peanut and nut based snacking products. Pic: Sun Valley
Sun Valley is a UK supplier of high-quality peanut and nut based snacking products. Pic: Sun Valley

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Gourmet snacking and chocolate brand Zertus has taken over The Sun Valley Nut Company (Sun Valley) from the Hacking family, who founded the business in 1949, led by James Hacking.

The acquisition positions Zertus at the forefront of the snacking and confectionery industry, by building on its already substantial portfolio of customer branded ranges for the UK’s leading retailers. 

Parent company Zertus GmbH, one of the oldest family-owned firms in Germany, has an existing brand portfolio including; NOMO, the UK’s number one free-from chocolate brand; Baileys Chocolates, premium chocolates in partnership with Diageo; The Fruit Factory, kids snacking brand; and Forest of Hope, the recently launched kids fair trade chocolate brand; and Kinnerton Confectionery and Lir Chocolates.

Sun Valley is a supplier of high-quality peanut and nut based snacking products through the private label, food service and food ingredients channels. Sun Valley supply nuts, peanut butters and crisps under its own ‘The Sun Valley Nut Co’ and ‘Nuts For’ brands, which compliments the capabilities and expertise within the existing Zertus Snacking and Chocolate Market Unit.

The acquisition has been led by Paul Tripp, CEO Zertus UK & Ireland, who has recently also joined the international Zertus GmBH Management Board as Managing Director. 

He said: “This is a strong acquisition for Zertus in the UK and one that complements our existing businesses in the healthier snacking sector. It will allow us to leverage our combined innovation and operational competencies to drive growth through exciting new products while enabling us to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations”.

Sun Valley has three well invested operational facilities spread across two sites based in Bromborough, Wirral, which Zertus will take over operations for, with production of Sun Valley to on-site.

Jim Hacking, Chairman Sun Valley Nut Company, said: “We believe that in Zertus we have found the right long-term owner for the business. We’re confident that Zertus can make the necessary investments needed to take the business to the next level whilst preserving the heritage of the Sun Valley business we have lovingly built over the last 72 years”.

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