Everything about United Biscuits totally explained
United Biscuits ("UB") is a
British multinational food manufacturer, makers of
McVitie's biscuits,
KP Nuts,
Hula Hoops,
The Real McCoy's crisps,
Phileas Fogg snacks, and
Jacob's Cream Crackers, and
Twiglets.
Corporate history
United Biscuits was formed in 1948 from the merger between McVitie & Price and MacFarlane Lang. The company now manufactures in a number of countries across Europe, such as the
Netherlands,
France,
Belgium. It recently sold its southern European business back to
Kraft Foods, which in turn left the owner syndicate.
Originally listed on the
London Stock Exchange, UB was acquired in May 2000 by Finalrealm, a consortium of financial investors, as well as
Nabisco Holdings Corporation. As part of the transaction, UB acquired Nabisco's European businesses.
In
October 2006, UB announced that it would be sold in its entirety to a consortium made up of the
Blackstone Group and PAI Partners. The deal was completed in December 2006.
Business
The company's
headquarters are in
Hayes, Middlesex. The company's main UK distribution centre is at
Ashby-de-la-Zouch, where it also has a factory manufacturing KP Snacks.
The core of the business is in the
United Kingdom, where it produces biscuits, crisps and other snacks under a number of brand names including: McVitie's (biscuits), KP (nuts), Hula Hoops (snacks), McCoy's (crisps), Phileas Fogg (crisps), and Jacob's (cream crackers). In 1972, it acquired
Carr's of Carlisle, makers of the eponymous
Table Water biscuits. It also produces
own brand products for supermarkets.
Acquisitions
In September 2004 UB bought the UK portion of
Groupe Danone's Jacob's Biscuit Group for £240 million. The move drastically increased its market share in the UK and increasing its estimated turnover to around £1bn.
Selloff
United Biscuits owned the
Wimpy Bar fast food restaurant chain between 1977 and 1989. It also previously owned the Pizzaland chain and the frozen and chilled food companies
Ross and Young's. UB sold
Young's Bluecrest in 2001, in order to concentrate on the sweet biscuit sector. Ross was sold to
H. J. Heinz Company.
Recall
On 2nd November 2007, United Biscuits issued a recall on its Crawford's Bourbon Cream biscuits. The reason for the recall was the possible presence of small pieces of thin metal wire in the biscuits.
United Biscuits Network
The '
United Biscuits Network', a radio network serving their factories across the UK which folded in 1979, spawned the career of UK radio presenter
Steve Allen and TV and radio personality
Dale Winton.
Further Information
Get more info on 'United Biscuits'.
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