Host Contract Management has today [24 July] announced the acquisition of upmarket contract caterer Couture, for an undisclosed sum.
The deal is the first acquisition for Host, which was founded in 2004 and operates 86 contracts in the B&I, healthcare and independent schools sectors.
The privately owned Couture has eight retail contracts including prestigious heritage sites such as the People’s Museum in Manchester, Liverpool Cathedral and the Institute Français in London, two high-profile film studios – Pinewood Studios and Elstree Studios – and an impressive B&I site at Ogilvy & Mather in London’s Canary Wharf.Couture has a total annual turnover of £5m, taking Host’s annualised turnover to £22m.
Host CEO Bill Toner said: “We are delighted to be working with such a strong brand as Couture. This is a fantastic acquisition for Host, taking us into a new, and relatively untapped segment. When the rest of the market is stagnant we are proud that our plans for growth are on track. We hope to follow this with further acquisitions.”
The Couture brand name will be retained, with the company becoming a division of Host.
“It was always our intention to grow Host and our aim is to get to £30m annualised by the end of the year. This acquisition will help give us the strength and credibility to compete further in the market and give us a good foundation from which to grow even further,” Toner added.
“Couture operates strong contracts, in interesting areas, but we feel Host can bring additional value with our focus on food quality, chef training and strong operational support. Our national sales team will also be concentrating on growing both brands by adding further contracts to the mix.”
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For further information or comment please contact Linda Pettit at Tilburstow Media Partners on 07973 789853 or linda@tilburstowmedia.co.uk.
Alternatively speak to Host CEO Bill Toner on 07831 637910.
EDITOR’S NOTE
Host is an independent, nationally based, contract catering company founded in 2004. The company, headed up by former Aramark UK CEO Bill Toner, has contracts in Scotland, Wales and mainland England including business & industry, directors and partners dining rooms, conference facilities, independent (prep, senior and 6th form) schools, state schools, further and higher education, and the healthcare industry in care homes, hospices and hospitals.
www.hostmgt.com
