Irish retail group BWG has declared that it will be business as usual for its UK subsidiary, South West Spar wholesaler Appleby Westward, following a management buyout.
Triode Investments, a company set up by three executive directors of BWG - Leo Crawford, John Clohisey and John O'Donnell - has completed a e390m purchase of the company from private equity firm Cognetas.
BWG supplies 439 Spar and 130 Mace stores in the Irish Republic, as well as 327 Spar stores in the UK through Appleby Westward. A spokesman for the group said that Appleby Westward remained crucial to the company's overall strategy as it was a core part of BWG's business.
Group chief executive Leo Crawford said: "We are delighted to be in a position to lead the group going forward as owner-managers and to support its expansion."
He added that the business was now focused on its core wholesale and retail food businesses and in a strong position to benefit from continued growth in the convenience sector.