Sausage Maker Blakemans Joins Cranswick in £32M Acquisition
Posted by Emma on 20th May 2025 Reading Time:
East Yorkshire-based food producer Cranswick has announced the acquisition of specialist sausage manufacturer Blakemans for £32 million. The move is the latest in a string of strategic decisions designed to strengthen Cranswick’s presence in the UK food service sector.
Blakemans, a family-run firm founded in 1953, is based in Newcastle-under-Lyme and employs nearly 300 people. The business is a major supplier to the UK’s fish and chip shop trade and a producer of prepared meals. Cranswick described the acquisition as “highly complementary” to its existing gourmet sausage operations.
The deal follows a year of robust financial performance for Cranswick. In its preliminary results for the year ending 29 March 2025, the company reported a 4.8% rise in revenue to £2.7 billion and a 12.1% increase in adjusted pre-tax profit to £197.9 million.
Investment was also a key theme for the year, with a record capital spend of £138 million. Notable projects include a £62 million phased upgrade to the Hull pork processing site and a £29 million expansion of the company’s poultry operations, also based in Hull. The firm also completed the £24 million purchase of JSR Genetics, a pig genetics company.
CEO Adam Couch said: “This year, we have made significant strategic and financial progress. We’ve delivered record revenue and profit while investing heavily in our facilities, supply chain, and acquisitions to support long-term growth.”
The acquisition of Blakemans follows the recent death of its co-founder, Jim Blakeman. What began in a converted farm shed in the 1950s grew into a nationally recognised brand, especially popular among fish and chip shops. Leadership has since passed to Jim’s children, Philip Blakeman and Susan Cope, who will continue under the Cranswick umbrella.
Philip and Susan said: “The two businesses complement each other in many ways. We look forward to working with Cranswick’s management team to continue delivering high-quality products to the food service sector.”
Despite the positive financial news, Cranswick has also faced recent controversy. Footage emerged in early May 2025 alleging serious animal welfare breaches at Northmoor Farm, one of its pig farms in Lincolnshire. As a result, major retailers, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons, temporarily suspended supply from the site.
While Cranswick has not commented further on the ongoing investigation, the development has impacted investor confidence, with shares dropping around 7% earlier this month.
Industry analysts have noted that the acquisition of Blakemans could help Cranswick diversify risk and strengthen its offering in a growing market segment. Mark Field, CEO of Prof Consulting Group, described the move as “strategically sound,” suggesting it brings “additional capacity, heritage, and innovation potential” to Cranswick’s gourmet range.
As Cranswick continues to expand its portfolio, the company must balance growth ambitions with the scrutiny that comes with greater visibility. With rising consumer expectations around welfare and sustainability, the challenge ahead will be maintaining public trust while pushing forward with its expansion.