Delenco Foods bought by Red Sky Food Group

Family-run sausage manufacturer Delenco Foods has been purchased by private equity-backed Red Sky Food Group. The deal was supported by professionals from FRP Corporate Finance.

Red Sky Food Group was set up by the investment fund Literacy Capital and former Meadow Foods CEO, and now executive chairman of the venture, Mark Chantler. Formed to “acquire and scale high-quality, protein-focused meat manufacturing businesses”, the joint-venture operation purchased Welsh meat producer Langford’s earlier in 2025.

Based in Leyton, Delenco Foods is a third-generation family business that was founded in 1963. The specialist sausage maker boasts a 76-strong team, which produces high-quality sausages for a wide range of hospitality and leisure operators including restaurants, hotels and cruise liners, using meat sourced from sustainable and ethical farms across the UK and EU.

This attracted Red Sky Food Group to make it the second deal of 2025, with the deal closing for an undisclosed fee. The acquisition will support Delenco Foods’ continued development and expansion.

Richard Barber, director at Delenco Foods, said, “The company and its excellent team have always been committed to quality, consistency and long-standing customer relationships and this deal will allow us to continue this. Joining Red Sky Food Group marks an exciting new chapter for us and provides a strong platform for our future growth.”

The deal was supported by professionals from FRP Corporate Finance. At team led by partner Chris Adlam, director Matt Field and supported by assistant manager Lydia Kelsall and executive Lucy Day acted as the sell-side advisers on this deal. The team managed all stages of the transaction, developing the financial model, supporting negotiations and coordinating due diligence, allowing the deal to reach a positive conclusion.

Chris Adlam, partner at FRP Corporate Finance, remarked, “This transaction reflects the continued market demand for well-run, high-quality food manufacturing businesses, and is a testament to the strong reputation that Delenco Foods has built up over the past six decades. It’s also an example of the continuing consolidation we’re seeing in a sector that offers many opportunities to find operational synergies to drive efficiencies and build economies of scale. Red Sky Food Group is a strong strategic fit for Delenco Foods, and I look forward to seeing both parties reap the rewards from this partnership in the coming years.”

Law firm Birketts, led from its Chelmsford office, also worked closely with FRP on the deal. The Birketts team was led by senior associate Tom Utting and partner Nick Burt, with support from Dominic Cowie, Anvita Oswal, Robbie Watson, Alex Elliott and Jasmin Sandhu.

Utting added, “It has been a privilege to support Richard and his family on this significant transaction. Delenco Foods has built a strong reputation in the sector, and we are pleased to have played a role in securing a deal that reflects the hard work and dedication of the Barber family. We wish them every success for the future and look forward to seeing Delenco Foods continue to flourish under Red Sky Food Group.”