Cranswick acquires British dog food business Grove Pet Foods

Cranswick stated the addition of Grove Pet Foods, which owns the Vitalin and Alpha Feeds brands and operates predominantly from Lincolnshire, represented a "platform for future growth" in the "attractive UK pet food market".

The FTSE 250-listed firm also highlighted that the combined business would benefit from vertical integration opportunities within the group, most notably within its fresh poultry and pork businesses.

Grove's managing director John Walgate will remain with and continue to lead the business.

Chief executive Adam Couch said: "I am delighted to announce the acquisition of Grove Pet Foods, a well-invested manufacturer of dry pet food supplying leading brands focussed on the specialist pet retail market.

"Grove Pet Foods has built a reputation for high-quality products and service that is well-aligned with Cranswick. The combined business will benefit from vertical integration opportunities within the group and particularly our fresh poultry and pork businesses. We look forward to building on this and continuing to invest in the product range, facilities, and the team over the years ahead."