Brakes and O'Kane Foodservice join forces

Brakes, a leading UK supplier to the foodservice sector has announced today that it has taken a majority stake in a joint venture with O'Kane Foodservice based in Lisburn, Northern Ireland.

Brakes and O'Kane have worked in close partnership for over 10 years and this agreement further cements their relationship. The business will continue to be headed up by Bill Lattimore supported by his dedicated local team.

The well respected O'Kane brand will be retained and customers will continue to receive the same high level of local service and quality products they have grown to expect. In addition they will benefit from a larger choice of popular quality products from Brakes and its family of specialist businesses including: M&J Seafood; Pauleys - fresh produce; Prime Meats - the speciality butcher; Country Choice - the bakery specialist and Woodward Foodservice.

The partnership ensures a strong platform for future growth and has already enabled O'Kane to strengthen its offer and secure significant new business within the Republic of Ireland. This has resulted in new jobs in the communities served, new local distribution sites in Galway, Cork and Dublin and investment in existing and new infrastructure.

Frank McKay, Brakes Group chief executive officer commented, "I am delighted we have been given the opportunity to join forces with O'Kane Foodservice and welcome both their employees and customers to the family of Brakes companies. We are committed to on-going investment in O'Kane Foodservice to ensure many more new Irish business opportunities are secured".