Ryvita owner to merge with Jordans

The owners of healthy eating brands Jordans and Ryvita today announced plans to merge their operations into one business.

Associated British Foods, which owns Ryvita crispbread, will have a 62% interest in the combined business, with the balance held by existing shareholders of Jordans, including the founding Jordan family.

The two sides said the tie-up would help satisfy increasing consumer demand for natural ingredients and healthy eating. There is likely to be some cost savings, while both brands will be subject to investment.

Ryvita dates back 80 years and has manufacturing sites in Poole, Dorset, and Stockport, Greater Manchester. The Jordans business, which was started by Bill and David Jordan in 1972, is based in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, England, where it has 300 staff.