Mike Firth, who has interests in a fruit products company and a sugar importer, has added an organic and vegetarian foods manufacturer and supplier to his portfolio. He now holds all the equity in Vegetarian World after buying the company for an undisclosed sum.

Mike Firth, who has interests in a fruit products company and a sugar importer, has added an organic and vegetarian foods manufacturer and supplier to his portfolio. He now holds all the equity in Vegetarian World after buying the company for an undisclosed sum.

Firth, who has become the acquired company’s managing director, invested in the deal alongside £250,000 from Partnership Investment Finance (PIF), a £37 million fund backed by UK and European government agencies as well as Barclays Bank and YFM Group. PIF specialises in assisting businesses in Yorkshire and Humberside.

Vegetarian World, which is based in Normanton, West Yorkshire, is a Soil Association-registered producer of animal-free and organic foods. Its private label products include soups, ready meals, sauces and pulses, which are sold by supermarkets and independent retailers.

Firth tells GrowthBusiness that he was attracted to the company because of its organic products. The sector for organic food has grown, he says, by 30 per cent in the past 12 months, adding that he intends to continue serving the needs of its existing customers as well as introducing additional lines to its product range.