EXPANSION HOPE AS SCALLAN’S ACQUIRED BY DUBLIN FOOD COMPANY
NEW OWNERS SEE ‘HUGE POTENTIAL FOR CONTINUING EXPANSION’
The well-known Wexford-based food firm Scallan’s in Whitemill has been acquired for an undisclosed figure by the leading Irish company Dublin Food Sales in a move that is expected to create additional jobs locally.
Established 40 years ago by Wexfordman Martin Scallan, the business was developed into a major wholesale operator, supplying food products to commercial and catering outlets throughout the south-east.
The company which employs 25 people has been run for the past decade by Martin’s son Graham who said the family was delighted to announce news of the acquisition which is part of a long-term growth strategy. Martin retired from the company 10 years ago.
‘We have always been committed to doing business in the south east region and working with Dublin Food Sales means that our company will future proof itself in a competitive market market’, said Graham who will remain in a commercial role within Scallan’s and the wider group.
The Wexford business which will continue operating from its custom-built premises in Whitemill, is joining one of Ireland’s largest food and catering supply distributors.
‘We are forecasting significant growth for Scallan’s. There will be investment into the existing facility in Wexford to handle that growth’, said Graham.
While a number of new appointments have been made to the current board of directors, the existing management and staff will continue to be involved in the company. ‘The new owners are planning for significant growth and as such we anticipate stafing levels to develop in line with growth. Our dedicated team will continue to deliver the same level of excellent customer service we are known for.’ added Graham.
Dublin Food Sales distributes more than 4,500 lines of food, drink and packaging products to hotels, restaurants, takeaways and corporate and public sector bodies throughout Ireland. The business which has an annual turnover of €15 million is spearheaded by Irish entrepreneur Richard Meehan who described Scallan’s as ‘a natural fit for our growing family of independent food service businesses’.
‘We value the fact that the business is a family built one and the Scallan family will remain integral to its operations as we move forward’, he said.
‘We see huge potential for this company to continue expanding within the South East region. As a location for doing business, Wexford lends itself well to these ambitions. We will be investing heavily into the Scallan’s business and their Wexford site’.
‘Scallans appealed to us as the values at the heart of their business are similar to those of Dublin Food Sales and we will continue to build on their generations of success. Our business model is one which offers consistency to our customers as we believe in outsourcing and depending on third parties as little as possible’, Mr. Meehan said the company is seeking to expand into new territory, offering a large range of premium and own brand food and non-food products.