Bidfresh, one of the UK’s leading fresh produce wholesalers, is delighted to announce the acquisition of both Hodgson Fish and Sailbrand, effective from 30^th July 2025.

This strategic move further strengthens Bidfresh’s position as the UK’s foremost fish and seafood wholesale distributor and marks the first acquisition under the leadership of Andy Farnworth, who became the wholesaler’s Managing Director last summer.

The acquisition supports the company’s strategic ambition to double in size over the next five years and is expected to strengthen the group, delivering greater scale, a broader product range, and the combined expertise of all three businesses for the benefit of customers.

Hodgson Fish is a fourth-generation business and one of the UK’s oldest UK suppliers, with operations dating back to 1916 on the fish quay in Hartlepool.

Sailbrand started operations in 1980, sourcing and delivering fresh seafood in the West Yorkshire region. The range and geography have grown, and they now deliver fresh and frozen seafood as well as fresh poultry, continental meats, cheeses, and deli across the North of England.

Since Hodgson Fish acquired Sailbrand in 2018, both companies have gone from strength to strength, earning a reputation for quality, reliability, customer service, and a broad product offering.

Both companies will continue to operate independently under the leadership of Peter Hodgson as Managing Director, while Lee Roberts will continue to head Sailbrand as Business Director.

Commenting on the acquisition, Andy said: “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Peter, Jill, Ian, Lee and their teams into the Bidfresh family. We have long admired both businesses and are confident that, with our support, they will continue to flourish in their respective regions, serving their customers with outstanding quality fish and seafood.

“We are committed to expanding our Bidfresh network into new territories, both through organic growth and the acquisition of like-minded regional fresh businesses that share our values and enhance our overall proposition. The addition of Hodgson Fish and Sailbrand is a perfect example of this strategy in action.

“With their rich heritage, specialist expertise, and exceptional local teams in Hartlepool and Huddersfield, we believe both businesses are an ideal fit for Bidfresh. We are genuinely excited to be part of their journey ahead.”

Peter Hodgson, Managing Director of Hodgson Fish and Sailbrand, commented, “We see Bidfresh as the ideal partner, thanks to their core values of quality and service, and their commitment to allowing individual businesses to retain their unique operations within the group.

“We are excited about the future and look forward to working closely with Andy and the wider Bidfresh team. It will be very much business as usual — the same management team will remain in place, continuing our hands-on approach and personal service ethos.

“These qualities have made Hodgson Fish and Sailbrand two of the UK’s most respected fresh fish and seafood suppliers, and this partnership will ensure that legacy continues well into the future.”

Oakland International, a leading specialist in distress load management, is calling for immediate industry and government action to address the crisis of distress loads and clandestine infiltration of commercial vehicles, a threat that endangers food safety, driver welfare, and the integrity of the UK’s supply chain.

 

Launching their comprehensive new report on Distress Loads and Clandestine Infiltration of Commercial Vehicles, developed in partnership with market analysis company Analytiqa, Oakland International exposes the urgent need for coordinated action, particularly across the food supply chain. The report draws on extensive market research and operational data and highlights a lack of clarity and understanding of ‘best practice’ when it comes to the responsibility, or accountability, for distress load stock.

 

Contributions and insights from the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and the British International Freight Association (BIFA), reflect the perspectives of leading industry bodies and underscores the breadth of collaboration needed to address the urgent challenges facing the UK’s supply chain. It also highlights the vital roles played by charities, FareShare and City Harvest London, for their work in food redistribution and tackling food insecurity across the UK.

 

RHA Senior Public Affairs Lead Ashton Cull commented: “The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI) said in their recent report “the threat of clandestine entry at the juxtaposed ports remains high and is unrelenting”, findings echoed in this report. That means everyone based at or using these ports has their part to play to keep the border secure.

 

“However, failings within Border Force and the Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Scheme identified by the ICIBI mean that all the responsibility and liability is being unfairly shifted onto drivers and businesses who have taken all possible steps to secure their vehicles from clandestine entrants. That’s why we recently wrote to the Home Secretary to call for reform of this Scheme.

 

“We repeat our call for further and urgent investment in training and technology at our borders to help keep loads secure. We want to see a fair system in place that protects drivers, goods and businesses as well as our borders. We look forward to seeing greater urgency on this issue.”

 

Oakland International Co-Founder Dean Attwell said: “The rise in clandestine infiltration is not just a statistic, it’s a ticking time bomb for food safety, driver security, and public health.

 

“Every compromised load puts the public at risk and costs the industry millions per year. We need urgent, coordinated action across the supply chain to implement robust security protocols, improve traceability, and ensure accountability at every stage.”

 

Figures from the report show a significant month-on-month increase in cases of clandestine infiltration, where migrants enter lorry trailers, putting the safety of food products and the integrity of the supply chain at significant risk. The financial and operational impact is significant, with the industry experiencing substantial losses each year as a result of spoiled loads being discarded due to infiltration and contamination.

 

Key data points highlighted by the report include:

 

• In first nine months of 2024, almost 100 people per month were detected infiltrating trucks entering the UK.
• The number of incidents in the first nine months of 2024 was higher than the equivalent periods of 2022 and 2023, up 12.8% and 60.6% respectively.
• In 2023, on average, three people were detected per instance, the highest number since 2020.
• The actual number of incidents and people detected is likely to be significantly higher, as Border Force do not record the number of vehicle checks that require no further action, so it is not possible to track how many vehicle checks are undertaken or what share of vehicles these account for.
• The value of stock lost due to an infiltrated load can be in the low £’000s to several tens of £’000s. The consequential loss of revenue can be many multiples of this.
• “There are a range of claim sizes. General foodstuffs could be £20k – £30k per trailer, chocolate brands could be £70-£80k per trailer.” Managing Director – Loss Prevention UK Insurance Industry.

 

Oakland International’s Distress Load Management (DLM) service has significantly expanded its capacity to address a growing number of clandestine infiltration cases, marking a substantial increase compared to previous years. However, as highlighted in recent reports, the actual scale of the issue is likely much greater, since many incidents remain unreported or are not formally managed.

 

Added Dean: “We are witnessing a perfect storm, desperate individuals risking their lives to cross borders, criminals exploiting vulnerabilities in vehicle security, and a food industry struggling to maintain safety and compliance.

 

“The current system is failing to protect both people and products. The Food Standards Agency must step up, and the entire industry must unite to close security gaps and safeguard our food supply.”

 

The new report, available today, details how the risks extend beyond financial loss and how contaminated loads can threaten public health and lead to mass food waste. Oakland International’s DLM service, which is BRCGS accredited and EHO approved, typically recovers over 85% of product from distress loads, with non-conforming stock safely quarantined and disposed of in line with strict procedures.

 

The report calls on all stakeholders, hauliers, retailers, regulators, and policymakers, to prioritise investment in security measures, driver training, and rapid response protocols. Oakland International stands ready to support the sector with its proven expertise in distress load management and urges greater transparency and accountability to restore confidence in the UK’s vital supply chain.

 

About Oakland International: Oakland International is a Certified B Corporation multi-temperature supply chain specialist, and a leader in direct to consumer, case consolidation, contract packing, storage and distribution, food tempering and brand development support for all types of food, operating 24/7 servicing diverse markets across the UK and Ireland, and recognised as a leader in distress load management and supply chain security.

The pre-prepared foods market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by consumer demand for quick, nutritious meals. Recognising this shift, Noble Foods—best known for its flagship brand, the happy egg co.—has partnered with Starfrost, a leading innovator in cooling technology, to launch a new range of value-added, ready-to-cook omelettes.

Central to this collaboration are two of Starfrost’s state-of-the-art Helix Spiral Freezers, which are enabling Noble Foods to launch a new production line efficiently while maintaining the highest standards of product quality and consistency.

We spoke with Pete Robertson, Project and Engineering Manager at Noble Foods, to discuss the company’s move into convenience foods and the role Starfrost’s technology is playing in their expansion.

Noble Foods is known for its popular brand, the happy egg co. Can you tell us about your new venture and why you decided to move into the value-added convenience sector?

“We’ve always taken pride in delivering high-quality, egg products, and we’re seeing increasing demand for more convenient, nutritious and protein-rich options that suit today’s fast-paced lifestyles. Moving into the pre-prepared food space was a natural progression. Here at our new innovation and manufacturing site, our first products off the production line are frozen omelettes by the happy egg co., which is part of our new value-added pipeline.”

What led you to choose Starfrost’s Helix Spiral Freezer, and how did you select the right solution?

“We hadn’t used automated freezing or chilling systems before, so we wanted to pursue the best options for our ambition. We knew we needed a system that would give us flexibility, reliability and efficiency. We found Starfrost to be a trusted name in the industry. Their equipment stood out for its durability, ease of use and the company’s commitment to long-term relationships and aftercare. That was crucial for us. The Helix Spiral Freezer ticked all the boxes.”

You explored liquid nitrogen freezing—why did you ultimately opt for mechanical freezing?

“We considered liquid nitrogen initially, but the costs and supply logistics made it less viable. Cryogenic freezing comes with volatile pricing and complex transport considerations, whereas mechanical freezing offered more stability and lower long-term costs. After in-depth discussions with Starfrost, we were confident their mechanical freezing systems could achieve the same high-quality results with greater consistency.”

How has the spiral freezer benefited you in terms of consistency and production scalability?

“The biggest win has been consistency. The freezing process is extremely reliable, which ensures our product quality remains high. From an engineering standpoint, the system is intuitive and straightforward to operate, and it performs well under different production conditions. It’s also versatile—we can seamlessly switch between products or recipes, which gives us the flexibility we need as our added-value businesses grows.”

What’s next for Noble Foods and the happy egg co. brand?

“This partnership with Starfrost is just the beginning. As our business grows, we’ll need equipment that evolves with us. Starfrost’s freezer systems provide that scalability. The Helix Spiral Freezer is future-proof—designed to handle greater capacity and accommodate alternative products as production ramps up. We’re excited for what the future holds, knowing we have Starfrost’s ongoing support.”

Future-Proof Freezing

Starfrost’s Helix Spiral Freezers provide Noble Foods with the capacity, consistency, and flexibility required to scale and diversify, enabling the food manufacturer to meet growing demand—efficiently and reliably.