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Wolverhampton firm cashes in and carries off big deal

A multi-million pound deal has seen a West Midlands firm become the third largest cash and carry company in the country.

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Wolverhampton-based Blakemore Wholesale has bought south Wales-based wholesaler BA Cash & Carry.

The exact value of the takeover deal is not being disclosed, but BA, which has two large depots in Cardiff and Swansea, has an annual turnover of around £93 million.

The move establishes Blakemore Wholesale, part of the Willenhall-based A F Blakemore & Son group, as the third largest company of its kind in the UK market with a combined turnover of £340m.

The wholesale division supplies independent retailers with products to help them compete against bigger firms.

As a result of the takeover it will operate from 14 cash and carry depots including Bangor, Barnsley, Birmingham, Gateshead, Grimsby, Hexham, Killingworth, Middlesbrough, Newport, Penrith, Walsall and the company's head office at Wolverhampton Science Park.

Blakemore Wholesale also runs a national food distribution service which delivers to customers across the UK via an 84,000 sq ft distribution depot at Apex II in Great Bridge.

It employed 430 staff before its latest take-over.

Blakemore Wholesale managing director Sam Wilcox said: "This is a major acquisition for Blakemore Wholesale and comes soon after our purchase of three Lowries Wholesale depots, located in the North of England, last July.

"BA is another well-established family business and the purchase will strengthen our position within the wholesale sector, specifically across South Wales, following the purchase of Mogford's Cash & Carry, in Newport, back in 2001.

"BA is a highly regarded wholesaler, boasting two of the largest cash and carry depots in Wales along with a growing delivered retail and food service operation.

"Blakemore Wholesale is delighted with this acquisition and looks forward to working alongside the 180-strong BA team to deliver an even greater level of service to our combined customer base."

The Blakemore group began life in 1917 as a counter service grocery store in Wolverhampton and now employs more than 7,500 people in eight divisions, with a turnover of more than £1.1bn.

The deal for the 41-year-old BA was supported by funding provided jointly by Lloyds Bank and Barclays.

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