Aberdeen-based Craig Group has sold its foodservice division to Strachans, a Peterhead based food distributor to the onshore and offshore catering industry.
Craig Group Foodservices employs 60 full-time employees and two part-time workers all in Aberdeen, all of whom will transfer to the new owner under their existing terms and conditions.
The value of the deal is not being disclosed.
Strachans managing director James Strachan could not be contacted for comment yesterday
Strachans is a family company, set up in 1939, and has three depots – at Peterhead, Aberdeen and Great Yarmouth – covering the main hubs of supply to the North Sea oil industry, servicing the shipping industry, supplying various onshore customers and also exporting goods worldwide.
Craig Group said the disposal was in line with its strategy to focus the business on its core activities of shipping and supply of oilfield products.
Managing director Douglas Craig said: “The foodservice business originally grew from our supply of products and chandlery to the marine industry.
“Over the years, we have grown the company to become an established player in the offshore and marine catering sectors. We are confident that the new owner, whose sole focus is food services, is ideally placed to drive the business forward.
“Craig Group’s roots have always been firmly planted in fishing and shipping and we have invested over £100million in North Star Shipping in recent years, underlining our commitment to and confidence in the offshore-support, remotely operated vehicles-survey and emergency-response and rescue vessel sector.
“Our energies are now focused on this core business and the further internationalisation of oilfield procurement division CIS where there is considerable potential for further global expansion.”
Just over a year ago, Craig Group sold three other divisions.
The value of the transaction was not disclosed, but was understood to be worth more than £50million.
Acteon, a group of 12 specialist engineering companies, added 100 people to its workforce after taking over Seatronics, International Mooring Systems and ChainCo.
Craig Group is now made up of four main divisions employing just over 1,000 people and turning over £100million-plus annually.
They are: North Star Shipping; Craig International Supplies (CIS); Grampian Sea Fishing; and Craig Group Leisure.