ANNUAL SALES EXPECTED TO REACH £39BN

Last year, Brakes Group’s revenues were nearly £3.3 billion, a 6.5% increase on the previous year, with operations in the UK, Ireland, France, Sweden, Spain, Belgium and Luxembourg.

Its earnings before interest, taxes and other charges were £184 million.

Sysco, which sells, markets and distributes food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, operates 196 distribution facilities serving about 425,000 customers worldwide.

If the takeover is approved, the combined companies are expected to make annual sales of about £39 billion.