Cork-based food wholesale business M&P O’Sullivan Ltd. (M&P) has acquired Biggs Catering Company in Bantry, marking a significant milestone in their growth strategy as the company gets ready to celebrate 120 years.
The undisclosed deal merges the 4th generation family business with one of West Cork’s oldest companies, expanding its wholesale catering supplies portfolio significantly.
M&P’s holdings currently include the Irish Homestead, White Hat, Red Abbey, and Brennan’s Caterworld ranges. Additionally, M&P operates the Gala retail and Your Stop franchises and now owns two of its own Gala stores, with plans for further acquisitions.
With this strategic investment and the addition of key new hires, the company expects to grow by an additional 15% over the next year, increasing sales to over €54 million. This acquisition is a major milestone in M&P’s long-term growth strategy, as they aim to expand turnover to €75 million by 2028. The company has already seen significant progress, with turnover rising from €22 million in 2017 to €47 million in 2024. Additionally, the acquisition strengthens M&P’s presence in the foodservice sector and further solidifies its position in the West Cork region, where it already has a strong market foothold.
Biggs Catering Company is a well-established name in West Cork, renowned for its commitment to quality and exceptional service. M&P is dedicated to ensuring Biggs’ continued success, as well as the success of its valued customers and team. M&P will provide invaluable support to help Biggs meet evolving market needs, enabling it to expand its product range, team, and service capabilities. This includes leveraging M&P’s vast resources, such as its Cork-based warehouse and an expansive product range of 15,000 lines, including fresh, frozen, ambient goods, and food equipment from Brennan’s Caterworld. The acquisition will also involve significant investment in Biggs’ delivery routes and distribution infrastructure, further enhancing service levels in the West Cork area. Employees of Biggs will retain their jobs as part of the acquisition.
Eoin and Patrick O’Sullivan, Directors of M&P O’Sullivan Ltd., shared their excitement about the acquisition: “We are extremely excited about the opportunities this acquisition brings. Biggs is a fantastic company with a strong reputation in West Cork. By combining Biggs’ local expertise with M&P O’Sullivan’s extensive resources and commitment to innovation, we are confident in the bright future ahead.
“As we celebrate 120 years in business, this milestone makes the year even more special, reinforcing our commitment to building on our legacy while seizing new opportunities for growth.”
“The hospitality industry’s recovery is something we remain cautiously optimistic about, particularly in the quick-serve and takeaway restaurant sectors. We are hopeful that the return of the lower VAT rate, as promised in the Programme for Government, will support growth in this area.”
The acquisition announcement comes as M&P gets ready to celebrate 120 years of business. Founded in 1905, the company has evolved from humble beginnings into one of Ireland’s most trusted family-run wholesalers. Now a leader in the food service and convenience store sectors, the fourth-generation family business remains committed to quality, innovation, and community.
M&P operates a large fleet of over 28 vehicles, delivering nationwide to its customers and offering more than 15,000 product lines across various categories, including frozen, chilled, ambient, soft drinks, packaging, alcohol, food equipment, and catering supplies. The company is also a shareholder in Gala Retail Services, which oversees a network of more than 180 Gala stores, 30 franchisees, and 40 Your Stop locations across Ireland. A team of 115 skilled and dedicated employees supports M&P’s 3,000 customers from its state-of-the-art, multi-temperature warehouse on Sarsfield Road in Cork city.
This latest acquisition follows other significant investments made by M&P in recent years, including the buyout of Brennan’s Caterworld, new temperature-controlled warehousing, a fleet of temperature-controlled delivery vehicles, and increased investment in the Gala franchise.
For more see www.mpos.ie.