News

Anatolia acquires Whitworths

23 May 2017

Turkish-based company Anatolia has acquired the entire issued share capital of the Whitworths holding company. Whitworths was founded in 1886, and is based in Northamptonshire, England.

Legal firm Irwin Mitchell’s corporate division has completed a deal which has seen dried fruit, nuts and seeds company Whitworths change hands.

The law firm acted for Turkish-based company Anatolia to acquire the entire issued share capital of the Whitworths holding company.

Based in Northamptonshire, Whitworths was founded in 1886 and supplies branded and own-label products and is said to have around a 30% share of the market. Back in 2013 in a deal which valued the business at £90m, a major stake of the business was sold to private equity firm Equistone Partners Europe.

This transaction will result in Whitworths merging with Anatolia to form what is said to be one of the largest producers of dried fruit, nuts and seeds in Europe. The existing Whitworths management team will continue to lead the UK business.

"This is an exciting opportunity for Whitworths and one that will bring long term benefits to our consumers, customers and suppliers and we look forward to sharing the plans on the next stage of this journey," said a company spokesperson.