Sheffield-based J&J Tranfield Ltd, who hold the world record for making the longest ever sausage at 35.75 miles long, has been sold by Hazelwood Produce (owned by Greencore plc) to management in a £5.6 million deal put together by Ford Campbell Corporate Finance, with funding from Enterprise Finance Europe (EFE) and Allied Irish Bank (AIB).

Tranfield, who gained entry to the Guinness Book of Records in 2000, manufactures chilled sausages and has excellent relations with its major customer Asda.

The £24 million turnover business, which is based in Orgreave Close in the Handsworth area of Sheffield, employs 260 staff and places a strong focus on innovation. In recent years, the company has developed some excellent new flavoured sausages including Red Wine flavour, Bacon and Garlic – which is known as a Toulouse sausage and Red Thai and Lemongrass.

Originally a family owned business founded in the 1930’s, Tranfield produced potted meats. By the 1970’s the product range expanded to include cooked meats and Hazelwood Foods acquired the business in 1985. Following a restructuring of the groups’ activities during the early 1980’s, Tranfield switched to producing chilled sausages.

Led by regional managing director, Judith McMath, Enterprise Finance Europe have provided £3 million of funding to support the MBO, together with ongoing working capital facilities to support the business as it moves forward.

McMath said Tranfield has been a consistently profitable and cash generative business. “This is a very strong and capable management team who deserve this opportunity. They have a solid strategy and we wish them every success.”

The MBO team includes Alistair MacDonald (48), who was formerly the managing director of Tranfield and has since been group finance director of Hazelwood Prepared Meals (which has a turnover in excess of £225 million), together with Mike Hutchinson (55) who is the existing managing director, who will continue in this role.

“This is an excellent opportunity for us to move the business forward,” said McDonald. “As part of Greencore’s ongoing and well-publicised disposal programme we have now the chance to take Tranfield to the next level via a strategic acquisition plan. We have an excellent workforce and efficient facilities and we are looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

Ford Campbell Corporate Finance, led by Jeremy Carr and Dave Cheetham advised the MBO team. Carr added; “This is a fantastic deal for the management team and should provide the firm foundations on which they can build a ‘food group’.

“The team is also focussed on developing its product range and key customer relationships. With the backing of EFE and AIB it has the financial support to be able to carry out its plans for the future.”

Allied Irish Bank provided a property loan and day-to-day banking.

Cobbetts provided legal advice to EFE whilst Addleshaw Goddard advised the management and Hammonds advised the vendor. Nelson & Co advised Allied Irish Bank.

Pictured above are Dave Cheetham (Ford Campbell), Judith McMath (EFE), Jeremy Carr (Ford Campbell), Mike Hutchinson (MBO team) and Alistair MacDonald (MBO team)

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