UK’s Fox’s Biscuits and Burton’s Biscuits confirm merger deal

UK’s Fox’s Biscuits and Burton’s Biscuits confirm merger deal

Pic: Fox's

The UK’s Burton’s Biscuit Company has confirmed a deal to merge with Fox’s Biscuits to form Fox’s Burton’s Companies (FBC), UK, writes Neill Barston.

As the businesses confirmed, it will be led by CEO Simon Browne, who welcomed the move to draw the two well established British companies together.

Burton’s (below), which has become known for its classic Fish n’ Chips crisps, Wagon Wheels and Maryland Cookies, began with George Burton who started baking biscuits in Staffordshire in the mid 1800s, but it was his grandson Joseph who formally founded Burton’s Biscuits in 1935. The company gained prominence throughout the UK and increased its range of snack offerings.

UK’s Fox’s Biscuits and Burton’s Biscuits confirm merger deal

Pic: Burton’s

In 2013, the business was bought by the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, before becoming part of company linked to the Ferrero group, employing over 37,000 people around the world. It employs around 2,000 people at six manufacturing sites across the UK, with a recorded sales turnover of £275 million, as of last summer.

As for Fox’s the company was formed in the UK back in 1853, with its first batch being baked by Michael Spedding. His son-in-law, Fred Ellis Fox took over the reins of the business in 1897, from which the company then took its name.

From its original recipe of brandy snaps, it also produces a wide range of biscuits including crinkle crunch, and chocolate rounds, producing a total of around six million items a year.

FBC UK CEO Simon Browne commented on the merger. He said: “After many years of looking at one another, we are excited about bringing together two businesses that share the same passion for crafting British biscuits with care, quality and innovation.’’

“The new business will continue to operate under the Ferrero-related company following our acquisition last year, and the acquisition of Fox’s Biscuits in 2020. As part of the integration, the FBC Leadership Team will now be undertaking a strategic review which will determine the details behind the transition.”