Tyrrells crisps sold for £300m

UK crisp manufacturer Tyrrells has been bought by US snacks firm Amplify in a £278 million deal. The company’s products include potato and vegetable crisps and ‘poshcorn’ premium popcorn. Amplify will pay Tyrrells’ current owner Investcorp about £278m in cash with the remainder in Amplify shares. Amplify is a major player in the US snack market and owns brands including SkinnyPop popcorn and Paqui tortilla chips. Tyrrell’s was founded by potato farmer William Chase in 2002 when he discovered making crisps was more profitable than selling potatoes. In 2008, he sold the company for about £40m and set up a distillery selling premium vodka and gin from his potato farm. The Herefordshire company was bought by Bahrain-based Investcorp three years ago. More