Baker & Baker acquires Scottish free-from bakery Lazy Day Foods

Baker & Baker has completed its second acquisition as an independent bakery products business, adding Scottish free-from specialist Lazy Day Foods to its portfolio. The deal, for an undisclosed sum, gives Baker & Baker its first manufacturing site in Scotland and expands its UK workforce to 2,650 employees.

This marks the company's second strategic purchase since becoming a standalone entity, following its 2022 acquisition of a Pastel de Nata facility in Portugal. The move significantly bolsters Baker & Baker's capabilities in the rapidly growing market for allergen-free products.

Lazy Day Foods brings dedicated free-from expertise and workforce

Lazy Day Foods, founded in 2006, operates as a fully free-from manufacturer. The company moved into a purpose-built facility in Harthill, Scotland, in 2017. It employs around 190 staff there, all of whom will remain with the business under its new ownership.

The Scottish firm produces approximately 75 permanent and seasonal product lines. Its entire range is free from gluten, milk, eggs, and nuts. It supplies these goods, under both its own brand and private labels, to major UK retailers and foodservice customers.

Leadership and strategic intent behind the deal

Shareholders and leadership from both companies framed the acquisition as a perfect strategic fit. Lazy Day Foods shareholders David Kilshaw, Emer Bustard, and Dr Sally Beattie stated that Baker & Baker was the ideal owner to take the business forward due to its scale, expertise, and international reach.

Matthew Acheson, chief executive of Baker & Baker, said the deal supports expansion into an exciting area of growth. "We're delighted to welcome Lazy Day Foods into the Baker & Baker family," he stated. The acquisition is seen as a way to accelerate growth in the free-from category and leverage Baker & Baker's existing gluten-free expertise from its Ashington site.

Operational continuity and future growth plans

Baker & Baker has committed to maintaining the Harthill operation and its employee base. The Lazy Day brand will be retained and actively promoted to Baker & Baker's extensive customer network, which includes major UK retailers like Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, and Waitrose.

The strategic plan involves expanding Lazy Day's product range and taking its branded and private-label business into new markets across the UK and Europe. Shareholders expressed confidence that the brand and site would be central to Baker & Baker's free-from growth ambitions. Baker & Baker will market the Lazy Day brand to its existing UK and international customer base to drive growth in the free-from category.