Hyperama moves foodservice division to Caterforce
Caterforce has signed on Hyperama to become its eighth foodservice member.
The Midlands-based business will move its foodservice division to the buying group from 1 April, while its retail arm will remain part of Unitas Wholesale.
The move is a big feather in the cap for Caterforce given Hyperama’s reputation within the sector.
“It was clear from our initial meetings that the values held by Marcus [Singh, Hyperama’s CEO] and the team at Hyperama fully align with ours,” said Caterforce Managing Director Gary Mullineux.
“We are absolutely delighted that they will be joining us in just a few weeks and expanding our membership during such challenging times.
“Hyperama will bring a new dynamic to the group, adding value to its members in an ever-changing market. They are a perfect fit for the group, joining seven member wholesalers, all of whom are family-run, well-established businesses that pride themselves on delivering exceptional service, quality and value to their customers.
“As a group, we look forward to supporting Hyperama with its ambitious plans for the future.”
The departure of Hyperama’s hospitality, catering and quick-serve food business operations is a further blow to Unitas’s foodservice business, which has witnessed a series of high-profile moves in recent moves/
Since it was formed in 2019, Unitas has parted ways with buying groups Country Range Group, Confex and Fairway and seen a number of wholesalers, such as Brook Street Foods and Blakemore Foodservice leave.
For Hyperama’s Singh, he explains the decision was made due to finding a better fit with Caterforce for that part of the business.
“The past year has been an incredibly difficult one for all in foodservice and catering, which brought into sharp focus our desire to be part of a buying group with a vision and ambition that supported our own,” he said.
“The team and I are looking forward to joining the Caterforce Group and fully utilising its buying power, marketing expertise and the shared experience of its membership.”
Unitas were keen to pick out the positives in their own statement about the Hyperama’s foodservice business leaving – reaffirming the retail side stays put.
“We’re delighted that we will continue to work with Marcus Singh and the team at Hyperama on the retail side of their business,” said Managing Director-in-waiting John Kinney.
“They are a longstanding member of Unitas Wholesale and formerly of Landmark Wholesale prior to the merger and we look forward to developing plans into the future.
“While we are disappointed that Hyperama has made the decision to move the foodservice element of their business, we recognise and respect their requirement to obtain very specific support to meet the longer-term plans of the foodservice arm of the business.”
Caterforce Gary Mullineux Hyperama John Kinney Marcus Singh Unitas Unitas Wholesale
