Lomond: The Wholesale Food Co, a Glasgow-based food wholesaler, has announced the acquisition of Penicuik-based Clarks Speciality Foods, a supplier to Scotland’s premium hotels and restaurants including Gleneagles and The Balmoral Hotel. This strategic move is expected to boost Lomond’s turnover to a record £55 million in 2024 as the company deepens its reach in the hospitality sector.
Managing Director Sam Henderson said, “We have long aimed to expand in the high-end hotel and restaurant market, and Clarks is the ideal partner to achieve this. Clarks has a reputation for sourcing and distributing exceptional quality foods to Scotland’s most prestigious hospitality venues. Their expertise and commitment to outstanding customer service align with our values, and we are excited to work together to enhance services for their existing clientele.”
Founded 28 years ago by Sam and Barbara Henderson, Lomond started by catering to the lunchtime market before expanding into broader foodservice sectors, supplying cafes, hotels, restaurants, and schools across the UK. In addition, Lomond operates Cake, a £5 million bakery supplying 65 wholesalers that distribute to major retailers, including Tesco and Dunelm.
The acquisition follows Lomond’s recent expansion of its Port Dundas headquarters, which doubled its warehouse capacity to 36,000 square feet, accommodating up to 4,000 pallets. This growth has supported Lomond’s sustainability goals, including the installation of solar panels to increase renewable energy usage by 30% and electric vehicle charging points as part of their drive towards net zero emissions.
The company aims to achieve £90 million in turnover by 2028, building on a foundation of recent acquisitions, expanded distribution capabilities, and a focus on environmental responsibility.
Picture: Sam and Barbara Henderson