Turkey producer on the hunt for bootiful new owner
Turkey producer Bernard Matthews has reportedly begun searching for a new owner.
The company, best known for its ‘bootiful’ catchphrase in adverts, is currently owned by Rutland Partners.
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Sky News first reported that Rutland has appointed advisers at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to find potential suitors. Rutland Partners declined to comment.
Named after its founder, Bernard Matthews was founded in May 1950 by an insurance clerk who set up with 20 eggs and a second-hand incubator. Twelve turkeys hatched, and he sold them on to a farmer for around £9 in today’s money.
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Rutland Partners bought the business in 2013. The company also owns Maplin Electronics and Pizza Hut.
On taking over Bernard Matthews, Rutland partner David Wingfield said: “We are excited to be investing in the leading turkey producer in the UK, which has such a widely recognised brand. We have been impressed by the energy and passion of the team at all levels of the business and are looking forward to the prospect of working with them under David’s leadership to enable the business to reach its full potential.”