Sector

Seabrook is an iconic Yorkshire crisp and snack brand.

Investment type
  • Management buyout
Exit type
  • International trade sale
Exit date

October 2018

The Team
LDC Team
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Working with LDC has been fantastic for us. Not only are we able to invest in future growth of our business, we have access to advice and strategic support when we need it.”

Jon Wood, Commercial Director
Seabrook

Another business exited in great shape

In October 2018, LDC completed the sale of Seabrook to leading snack brand Calbee (UK) Ltd for an undisclosed sum.

The deal saw Seabrook join Calbee UK, a subsidiary of global snack company, Calbee Inc, which already boasted Yushoi, Rustiks and Harvest Snaps among its portfolio.

Seabrook went on to operate as a standalone company, and CEO Jonathan Bye, COO Daniel Woodwards and Commercial Director Jon Wood continued in their roles.

Right the way through the journey, the leadership team was determined not to lose the roots that made the business great in the first place, and working with LDC made this possible throughout the period of rapid growth we supported and beyond.

At the end of our partnership, the business employed 160 people at its Yorkshire HQ and for the financial year ending March 2018 recorded revenues of £29.8m and profit (EBITDA) of £5m, up 9% and 28% respectively during LDC’s tenure.

Jon Wood, Commercial Director at Seabrook Crisps said: “Working with LDC has been fantastic for us. Not only were we able to invest in an ambitious growth strategy for the business, but we also had access to advice and strategic support when we needed it, as well as confidence that we were following our own vision for the company.”

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It’s only with their support that we have been able to outperform the crisp category with the Seabrook brand, won significant new private-label business and expanded overseas.”

Jonathan Bye, Chief Executive
Seabrook

Awards

M&A Deal of the Year

Seabrook Crisps – TheBusinessDesk.com’s Awards