Golden Wonder stalks United’s KP business

Golden Wonder chief executive Clive Sharpe is understood to be stalking United Biscuits’ crisps and snacks business, KP.

Sharpe led the 54.6m management buyout of the snacks and crisp business from Dalgety in October, as part of its consumer foods disposal programme.

According to trade sources, Golden Wonder is negotiating to buy KP to gain volume in the snacks market and challenge the might of PepsiCo’s Walker’s Snack foods.

Marketing director Paul Boothman, who denies there are plans to buy the snack food rival, says: “Eight months after the buyout we are concentrating firmly on building Golden Wonder’s position in the market.”

But he adds: “As the years unfold it would be perfectly possible to buy new brands which companies may want to dispose of. KP is one such company but there are many other opportunities for a company like ours. This is three to four years down the line.”

Golden Wonder owns brands such as Golden Wonder Crisps, Wotsits, and Nik-Naks.

Ad agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty was appointed by Golden Wonder last week after it split with Ogilvy & Mather.

A United Biscuits spokeswoman refused to comment.