Vitacress acquires UK fresh herbs supplier

Portuguese-owned salads company Vitacress has acquired the fresh herbs supplier Van Heyningen Brothers Limited.

West Sussex firm VHB is one of the largest suppliers of fresh herbs to UK retailers, supplying more than 14m pots and 23m packs of fresh cut and bunched herbs a year, selected from its own production, plus other British and European growers.

The deal, subject to Office of Fair Trading approval, will see Vitacress strengthen its presence in the fresh herbs sector. In 2008 it acquired speciality herb supplier Lighthorne Herbs.

Last year VHB had a turnover of £26m and employed around 320 people, compared with Vitacress, which had a turnover of £88m and employed over 900 people.