Greenvale Moves For ES Black Holdings

The move increases Greenvales volume of pre-pack potatoes to the retail trade by a quarter, giving the company an estimated 20% share of the market.

Greenvale says no big changes are envisaged after the take-over, and the management structure will remain unchanged.

Girvan Early Growers, a farmers co-op based on the south Ayrshire coast, backs the move.

It is not a problem to us. We have been assured that there will be no change this year, says chairman, Alex Kyle.

The co-op grows 8000-10,000t of potatoes, supplying most big retailers, and Blacks is a key outlet.

We would rather someone took the company over than it closed. It will give Greenvale an expanded market and could make our job easier too, says Mr Kyle.

Retailers are also keen. Mike Attwood, commercial manager at Sainsburys, says:

This is a logical step for two significant suppliers which has our full support. In an increasingly competitive market-place this development will only strengthen Greenvales position.