en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) approved on June 16 the proposed acquisition of Hovis Group Ltd. by Associated British Foods PLC (ABF).
ABF first announced its acquisition intention in mid-August 2025, and the CMA launched an investigation on December 19. Following a second investigation earlier this year, the CMA determined that if the merger did not proceed, ABF would most likely fully exit the UK (Great Britain and Northern Ireland) market. The CMA concluded that regardless of whether the merger takes place, the competitive pressure from ABF would disappear, and therefore the merger does not raise competition concerns.
Cyrus Mehta, Chair of the independent inquiry group leading the investigation, stated that bread is a basic staple for millions of people, and it was crucial to carefully examine the impact of this transaction on the competitive landscape for households across the UK. Based on substantial evidence showing the difficulties faced by many bakeries in the UK, if the transaction did not proceed, ABF's Allied Bakeries would likely fully exit the market. Therefore, it was concluded that the transaction does not raise competition concerns.
Founded in 1886 and headquartered in High Wycombe, UK, Hovis produces sliced bread such as white bread, seeded bread, and wholemeal bread, as well as rolls, baps, crumpets, muffins, and teacakes, under brands including Hovis, Mother's Pride, and Ormo. The company employs 2,800 people and operates eight bakeries, one flour mill, and three distribution centers in the UK. Hovis has been part of Endless LLP since November 2020, when Endless LLP acquired it from Gores Group and Premier Foods.
Hovis Group will join ABF's Grocery business unit, which includes brands such as Kingsmill (bread products), Jordans (breakfast cereals), Dorset Cereals (muesli and granola), Ryvita (crispbread), Twinings (tea), Ovaltine (malt drinks and snacks), Mazola and Capullo (cooking oils), Fleischmann's (yeast), Karo (corn syrup), Argo (corn starch), and Silver Spoon and Billington's (sugar). This unit also includes George Weston Foods Ltd., one of the largest food manufacturers in Australia and New Zealand, with brands including Tip Top (bread), Mauri (bakery ingredients), Don (meat), and Yumi's (hummus, dips, condiments, and snacks).
Other ABF business units include ABF Ingredients (yeast and bakery ingredients, including AB Mauri), ABF Sugar (cane and beet sugar), AB Agri (agricultural products and services), and the Primark clothing retail chain.
This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com
