Crisp firm Tayto Northern Ireland today purchased a division of collapsed crisp maker Golden Wonder.
Tayto NI confirmed it had bought the Pringles Mini brand from administrator Kroll and taken over its site in Corby, Northamptonshire, just days after Golden Wonder collapsed. The move will see 195 of Corby's 350 employees continue to work for Tayto NI at the site.
The Pringles Mini brand was subcontracted to Golden Wonder by Procter & Gamble, owner of the Pringles range.
The contract was transferred to Tayto NI under today's deal. Golden Wonder called in Kroll on Monday after struggling to compete with larger rival Walkers and reporting "significant" losses in 2005.
Administrators are trying to find bidders for other parts of Golden Wonder, which produces snacks such as Nik-Naks, Wheat Crunchies and Ringos, employing a total of 850 staff.
Tayto NI, which employs 350 staff at its base in Tandragee, Co Armagh, said the move was a major boost for its growth plans.
Managing director Stephen Hutchinson said: "Pringles Minis have only recently been launched in the UK and Ireland, and the Corby business is the only one in the world manufacturing this new product. We expect to build on this new relationship with Procter & Gamble."
The family-owned business recently secured a £10 million contract to supply crisps to supermarket giant Tesco. The problems experienced by Golden Wonder came at a time when sales in the wider crisps and snacks market slumped in the UK amid growing concerns over health issues such as obesity and levels of salt intake.