Interpath has announced that two companies run by Heather Mills – Vegan Solo Consulting Limited and Duo Renovations Ltd – have purchased Plant and Bean’s (P&B) manufacturing site and associated equipment after the latter entered administration.
The Lincolnshire-based company operated from a 125,000 sq ft factory manufacturing meat-free products for brand names including Wicked Kitchen and Quorn, but on 31 May, James Clark and Howard Smith were appointed joint administrators.
I am delighted to acquire the P&B facilities and to keep it as a non-meat factory
The administrators said that P&B had experienced significant inflation across its cost base and suffered several operational issues ‘stemming from a lack of investment’.
Commenting on the purchase, Mills says: “I am delighted to acquire the P&B facilities and to keep it as a non-meat factory. I am also pleased to try and help the founder of P&B who has worked in a similar vein to myself for many decades to drive positive change for the environment, the animals and for the health of the global population.”
Adds Clark: “I am delighted to secure a sale of this great facility to someone committed to investing and improving on the great manufacturing capabilities implemented by Plant and Bean. The factory has huge scope to deliver improved economic output for the Boston area and we wish the buyer all the best in their new venture.”
The purchase will expand Mills’ existing vegan portfolio which includes Vbites, and it is thought renovations will be undertaken to upgrade the production capabilities and that any future manufacturing at the site will continue to be plant-based.
Image credit: Quorn
