Calbee buys Seabrook Crisps in UK

Japanese snack food manufacturer Calbee has made a deal to strengthen its position in Europe through the acquisition of 100% shares in UK-based Seabrook Crisps.

Financial details of the acquisition have not been revealed by the companies.

The deal was signed through the Japanese firm’s subsidiary Calbee UK (CUK), which was established in 2015.

CUK is currently engaged in the sale of Yushoi, a bean-based snack brand in the UK and Europe. The company primarily produces and sells snack foods.

CUK managing director Richard Robinson said: “This is an exciting development which will allow us to combine and further leverage the skills and brands of two ambitious players in the UK savoury snack market, building an even more dynamic, innovative and effective snack business going forward.

“We firmly believe it will prove to be good news for both business and the UK snack industry as a whole.

“This acquisition is good news for Calbee UK’s business aspirations and has been designed not for cost savings, but to generate growth.”

Seabrook will be wholly owned by Calbee UK and run separately as a business, sharing its expertise with Calbee.

The company was established in 1945 and has been involved in the production of crisps, which are sold under the Seabrook brand.

Through the acquisition of the Seabrook brand in the main crisps category, Calbee aims to strengthen its business in the UK snack market, and further expand the Calbee Group business in Europe.