Pinchbeck fruit supplier Empire World Trade (EWT) is to become a major player in the global food market after a takeover by one of the industry’s giants.
The Enterprise Way-based supplier of apples and pears has been bought by Belgian firm UNIVEG which supplies fruit, vegetables, flowers, plants and logistical services around the world.
UNIVEG is no stranger to the area having operated from a site in nearby Stephenson Avenue, Pinchbeck, since 1988 under the names of Malet Azoulay and more recently UNIVEG Katope UK.
A UNIVEG spokesman said: “The business reasons for this acquisition are in line with our continued strategic focus and development of the UK market place.
“This is an opportunity to provide an added dimension to our product portfolio and with the EWT team on board, we see this as an ideal opportunity to build a significant market share for UNIVEG’s own production of top fruit.”
Empire World Trade’s former managing director David Pratt will become a director of the new joint business to be called UNIVEG UK.