Zetar acquires chocolatier Derwent Lynton

Confectionery and snack company Zetar has acquired UK-based chocolate confectionery manufacturer Derwent Lynton for £800.000. Derwent Lynton specialises in the manufacture of solid milk chocolate and chocolate flavour balls and eggs, hollow milk chocolate shapes, sugar-coated milk chocolate products including eggs and beans, and coated chocolate drops. Its operations will form part of Zetar’s Confectionery division.

In the year ended 30 June 2010, Derwent Lynton had sales of £4.2 million and an operating profit of £114,000. Ian Blackburn, CEO of Zetar, notes, “The acquisition of Derwent Lynton is complementary to our existing confectionery business, providing access to new customers. Its additional manufacturing capability will also give Zetar the flexibility to offer new product variants to our existing customers. This relatively small acquisition is Zetar’s first acquisition since 2007. We are continuing to review other small opportunities”.