Kepak Group has announced that it has acquired Meat Snacks Group Limited trading as New World Foods Europe, an outfit it referred to as being a “leading producer of ambient meat snacks”.

The company was acquired from Valeo Food Group and the deal includes the Freshers Food brand and manufacturing sites in Wigan and York.

Kepak has said that the acquisition marks a “significant milestone” in the €2bn per year turnover company’s strategy to increase its presence in the growing market segments of high-protein snacks and food to go.

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Brand labels Kings, Wild West and Cruga are among the products now under Kepak control after the deal.

Kepak’s management has said that its approach of integrating the acquired firm will one of “business as usual”.

“This acquisition enhances our capabilities in the ambient snacking category and adds a strong suite of established brands to our portfolio,” according to Kepak’s foods division CEO Brian Farrell.

“It supports our continued growth in both the UK and international markets, particularly across the convenience and food-to-go channels.”

The CEO of Valeo Foods Group Ronald Kers said that New World Foods Europe can now “unlock its full potential”.

“We are pleased that they are transitioning to another outstanding company where they will receive the focus and resources to grow,” Kers commented.