Tayto confirms interest in Golden Wonder

Northern Ireland’s number one crisp manufacturer Tayto confirmed interest in the purchase of fallen UK-based snack food producer Golden Wonder. The company has been put into administration, having made significant losses in 2005, according to the company’s administrator Kroll. The 2005 loss comes on the back of reported losses in 2004 of GBP 10.8m on sales of GBP 87.8m. The move puts some 850 jobs at risk.
Kroll said that Golden Wonder had suffered at the hands of aggressive competitors, in particular the PepsiCo-owned Walkers, and was now no longer able to service its debt requirements. The source confirmed that Kroll was already in discussions with third parties about a sale, but that so far nothing concrete had come of the talks.