Welsh wholesaler Harlech acquires rival Celtic

Harlech Foodservice, one of Wales’ leading independent foodservice wholesalers, has announced the acquisition of rival company Celtic Foodservices as part of its expansion in South West Wales.

Based in Criccieth, Gwynedd, and with depots in Merthyr Tydfil, Chester and Carmarthen, Harlech serves customers throughout North and Mid Wales as well as the North West of England and the West Midlands.

The company said the acquisition of Celtic Foodservices, which is based in Pembroke Dock in Pembrokeshire, is a “perfect fit”.

The move is part of an overall £6 million plan to create 150 new jobs and comes a few months after Harlech opened a new depot in Carmarthen where 15 sales staff and drivers have already been recruited.

It was spurred by the company’s growth over the past three years which has seen sales increase from £32m to a record turnover of around £50m, with profit at an all-time high of more than £2m.

According to Harlech, the expansion is being driven by the growing demand from customers in South West Wales, particularly in the hospitality sector.

All 12 members of staff at Celtic Foodservices will be transferred to Harlech, including director Jason Davies, and the premises in Pembroke Dock will also be part of the new set-up.

“I am delighted we have successfully acquired Celtic Foodservice and this strategic acquisition is a significant step forward in our mission to expand our footprint into South Wales,” Harlech managing director David Cattrall said.

“Celtic Foodservice has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality products and exceptional service to its customers. By integrating Celtic Foodservice into our operations, we are poised to deliver even greater value to our customers through an expanded range of products, improved logistics, and enhanced customer service capabilities.

“I am excited about the opportunities this acquisition brings and am committed to ensuring a smooth transition for all Celtic Foodservice customers and employees. Our combined resources and expertise will enable us to better serve the foodservice industry, driving growth and innovation.

“I am looking forward to welcoming Jason Davies and the Celtic Foodservice team to the Harlech family and working together to achieve new heights in the industry.”