Wholesaler Kitwave has confirmed its commitment to Unitas for its retail and on-trade businesses as it prepares to move its foodservice operation out of the buying group.
After a review, the two firms agreed it would be in both parties’ interest for Kitwave’s foodservice business to move out of Unitas, and therefore, the MJ Baker, Millers and Westcountry units will leave the group in October 2024.
However, Kitwave confirmed that membership of Unitas remains paramount to the future growth of its Turner & Wright, HB Clark, Eden Farm, Automatic Retailing, Westone Wholesale, M&M Value and Squirrels businesses.
Ben Maxted, CEO of Kitwave, said: “We have exciting growth plans for Kitwave and as the UK’s largest buying group, we see Unitas as a key strategic partner to support us on delivering these longer term growth plans. We have had a long and successful relationship with Unitas, and previously Today’s group, and we see this continuing.
“We have ambitious plans for foodservice, which will no doubt include further acquisitions, and after discussions, we both agreed that now is the time for that part of our business to step out of Unitas. I would like to thank the Unitas team for helping to develop our foodservice operations over the years.”
John Kinney, MD of Unitas, added: “Kitwave is a fantastic business with fantastic growth plans, and we look forward to working together even more closely with the team as they continue to expand and grow their retail and on trade businesses.”
