UK upmarket crisp maker Tyrrels bought for £300m by small US firm

US group Amplify bags Tyrrells crisps for £300m
US group Amplify bags Tyrrells crisps for £300m

UK crisp maker Tyrrells has agreed to be bought out by a small US snacks firm for £300m.

The company, Amplify, bought the upmarket snack company, whose products include potato and vegetable crisps.

Amplify will pay Tyrrells' current owner Investcorp about £278m in cash with the remainder in Amplify shares.

Tyrrells started out with humble beginnings; potato farmer William Chase realised that making crisps was more profitable than selling potatoes to retailers.

Tyrrells was founded in 2002 by potato farmer William Chase
Tyrrells was founded in 2002 by potato farmer William Chase

He eventually sold the company in 2008 for nearly £40m, using some of the money to set up his own distillery making vodka and gin from his own potatoes.

Tyrrells generated approximately £85m in net sales last year and international revenues now account for about 40% of its sales.

The company was taken over by Investcorp, a Bahrain investment company, three years ago.

The latest deal will see current chief executive David Milner stay on as Amplify's international president.

Mr Milner said: "This is a terrific deal for Tyrrells and the team who have delivered a stellar performance over the last few years.

"As a small, UK farm-based business it is a tremendous achievement to be now part of a US publicly-traded company with the international reach to make Tyrrells a global brand".