Bidvest Foodservice International, trading in the UK as Bidvest 3663, has announced the acquisition of Cimandis, which expands its operations in Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney.
The business has been bought from SandpiperCI, whose group of companies is the largest retailer and private employer in the Channel Islands.
Cimandis is the foodservice division of SandpiperCI and is the largest foodservice provider in the Channel Islands, providing in the region of 4,500 products to over 1,000 customers in retail, hospitality and the service sectors, via depots in Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney.
Andrew Selley, chief executive of Bidvest 3663, said: “We are delighted to welcome the team and customers of Cimandis to the Bidvest Foodservice family. Over the past couple of years the Cimandis management team have developed a thriving and profitable foodservice business within the Channel Islands.
“In line with our decentralised model, Bidvest will continue operating Cimandis as an autonomous and independent business, following the model we already successfully employ around the world.
“We believe this partnership opens up new opportunities for both businesses, for Bidvest it allows us to further extend our footprint in Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney, whilst the Cimandis team and customers will benefit from the financial and strategic support of the wider Bidvest group.”
The current management and staff of Cimandis will transfer over to Bidvest when the sale completes which is expected to be early May. There are no plans to change liveries or brands at this time and Cimandis will continue to operate as a regional wholesaler.
Tony O’Neill, chief executive of SandpiperCI, said: “We’re obviously very pleased that Bidvest, an international foodservice specialist, will use their global experience to build on Cimandis’ success which will clearly benefit the Channel Islands and other stakeholders.”
