McCormick buys UK condiments

The UK subsidiary of US spice and flavour company McCormick has completed the purchase of the UK condiment business Uniqsauces for £12.15 million (€18.5m) cash from Uniq, the European chilled convenience food group.

Uniqsauces manufactures and markets condiments to retail grocery and food service customers, including quick service restaurants. The products include table sauces, salad creams, salad dressings and marinades.

In the food service sector products are sold under two principal brands, Beswicks and Hammonds. In the retail grocery channel, products are sold as private label, under the Hammonds brand, and under the Newman's Own label, which is a licensed brand.

In a statement this week McCormick claimed that both the retail and food service products of Uniqsauces complement the current products supplied by McCormick in Europe and will allow for expansion of products offered to existing and new customers.

The business employs 350 people and has two manufacturing facilities based in Littleborough in the UK.

Robert J. Lawless, chairman, president and CEO of McCormick​ said: "One of the company's goals is to expand by acquiring consumer brands and value-added industrial businesses in key markets. The Uniqsauces business will fulfil both of these objectives.​

We believe that condiments are popular among UK consumers but that this market is underdeveloped. The foodservice products provide an opportunity to expand our flavour solutions for our strategic industrial customers in Europe.​

This condiment business is an excellent fit, strengthening both our consumer and industrial businesses in Europe."​

Uniqsauces has estimated sales for 2003 of more than £30 million.