The food and drink team at Walker Morris has advised Pipers Crisps on PepsiCo’s intended acquisition of the premium crisp brand.
PepsiCo plans to accelerate the growth of the Pipers business in the UK and will continue to develop the export of its products.
The kettle-cooked, gourmet crisp brand will complement PepsiCo’s existing savoury snacks portfolio, with its range of premium crisps sold in pubs, restaurants, cafes, hotels and farm shops, both in the UK and abroad.
Ian Ellington, general manager of PepsiCo UK, said of the acquisition: “Pipers share our uncompromising commitment to delivering on taste and quality and we’ve long-admired their entrepreneurial spirit. The Pipers’ brand has a strong proposition within the market, with stand-out taste, flavours and appeal.”
James McKinney, managing director of Pipers Crisps, added: “We’ve developed innovative products to suit evolving tastes while establishing a strong foothold in the market. PepsiCo’s commitment to accelerating the growth of the Pipers brand means more people will be able to enjoy the unique, award-winning flavour of Pipers Crisps.”
Richard Naish, head of the food and drink team at Walker Morris, said: “Pipers Crisps is a well-established, quality brand in the crisp market and an attractive proposition for PepsiCo. The acquisition will help to build on that success and continue the development and export of the product.”
The Walker Morris team advising the Pipers shareholders included: Naish and Marianne McKeown (corporate), Sarah Bruce and Nicola Parkinson (tax), and Heather Williams (intellectual property/trade marks).
The acquisition is subject to the approval of the Competition and Markets Authority, which it is envisaged will be concluded early next year.
This transaction is the latest in a number of successful transactions in which the Walker Morris food and drink team has participated. Recent deals include advising Karro Food Group on its acquisition of TS Bloor & Sons; Real Good Food on the sale of Haydens Bakery to Bakkavor; and the shareholders of 3V Group (owner of the Meridian nut butters brand) on the sale of a majority shareholding to SHS Group.
