Bridgepoint munches down on Polish biscuit maker Dr Gerard
PRET A Manger owner Bridgepoint yesterday snapped up a Polish biscuit maker in a bid to capitalise on Poland’s increasingly sweet tooth.
Dr Gerard, which started life making gingerbread in the Polish town of Ozarow 20 years ago, will come under the financial control of Bridgepoint after the UK-based private equity group agreed to buy it from French company Groupe Poult. Poland’s biscuit market is forecast to grow at six per cent a year in the future as Poles catch up with their European cousins’ biscuit eating habits.
Bridgepoint partner Khai Tan said: “Dr Gerard has transformed itself into a leading player and is already well positioned for further long term growth in its market following its successful multichannel strategy.”
Dr Gerard, which was formerly called Lider’s-KG, operates from three sites across Poland and employs over 950 people. It offers over 200 types of treats from onion crackers to apricot cream sticks.