Takeover Hovis staff wait to see if jobs are at risk

WORKERS at Bristol's Hovis site are waiting to hear if their jobs are at risk following the takeover of the historic bread firm by Kingsmill owner Associated British Foods (ABF).

- Kate WILSON

On Friday ABF, which also owns brands including Ryvita and Twinings, said that it had "reached an agreement" to buy Hovis from private equity owner Endless.

The multinational told investors on Friday that the deal will "combine" the production and distribution activities of Hovis and its Allied Bakeries business, which makes Kingsmill and Allinson's bread. The move will lead to "significant costs synergies and efficiencies" in an effort to create a sustainably profitable bread business.

Around 300 people are employed at Hovis' Avonmouth site - with the firm employing around another 2,700 in total. Hovis, which was founded in 1890, was bought by Endless in 2020 from Premier Foods, which owns the Mr Kipling brand.