HMS Acquires Tom Walker and Sons Ltd

HMS, the independently owned parent company of UK food ingredient distributors Kent Foods, BFP, Henley Bridge Ingredients, Garrett Ingredients and Bailey's of Portsmouth, has acquired Tom Walker and Sons.

Tom Walker and Sons will continue to operate as a stand-alone business, but Russell Eley will take up the role of managing director when Peter Walker, along with the finance director Pauline Chapman will retire.

Peter Walker writes, After 38 years since my family founded Tom Walker and Sons, I, along with Pauline, have decided to finally retire. When planning this, the key consideration for us was to make sure the business passed to an owner who would further develop the business whilst preserving the facility and employees here in Thorpe Leazes. So we are handing the baton over to a carefully chosen partner who shares TWS' values - flexibility, quality and customer focus. I've no doubt that HMS is a great home for Tom Walker & Sons.

Iain Dalglish, chairman of HMS, said, "Tom Walker & Sons has an outstanding reputation and I'm delighted to welcome them into the HMS family. It will remain an independent business with Russell and his management team given the freedom needed to take it from strength-to-strength. Furthermore, as we're not a cheese producer, Tom Walker & Sons will not be tied in any way and remains free to continue sourcing the best varieties from across the globe. I know that Russell has exciting plans for the future - various initiatives that will build an even better customer experience and stronger platform for partnerships. HMS is looking forward to supporting these with our considerable resources."