The successful growth and expansion of Solway continued and in 1999, we opened a fourth factory in Manton Wood, Nottinghamshire to produce Sandwiches and Sushi. By now the company serviced a select group of customers led by Tesco along with Morrisons and J Sainsbury.

In February 2000, Northern Foods acquired a 40% stake in Solway Foods, further enhancing the company’s access to the very best expertise in short shelf life chilled foods.

In February 2003 the company opened the second half of the facility at Manton Wood raising the capacity at Manton Wood to circa £60m.

The company has achieved this success from continuing to follow the principles first adopted in 1988:

• A fundamental commitment to food safety and quality through a strong technical function

• Continuous investment to ensure cost-effective manufacturing and the availability of capacity

• 100% service levels through the most modern planning and forecasting systems

• Heavy investment in NPD to always be first to market

• Continuous investment in our workforce

In line with the agreement reached between Napier Brown and Northern Foods when Northern acquired a 40% share of Solway, and two years earlier than anticipated, Solway was fully acquired by Northern Foods in June 2003. The acquisition of Solway is in line with Northern Foods stated strategy of developing the chilled short life, value added areas of their business. Solway is an exceptionally good fit with the business and brings along with it strong relationships with Tesco, Sainsbury and Morrisons.

Solway will continue to develop its business with its main customers and its strategy of remaining within its core competency areas has not changed as a result of joining the Northern Group.