RGM Leeds has acquired Henry Nuttall, a heritage catering equipment manufacturer, in a deal that consolidates two Yorkshire brands within the frying and catering equipment sector while maintaining their separate market identities.
The leeds investment brings Henry Nuttall under the RGM Leeds umbrella alongside Hopkins, with both brands continuing to operate independently. RGM Leeds has committed to preserving Henry Nuttall’s identity, customer relationships and manufacturing standards, positioning the acquisition as a strategic move to strengthen British manufacturing capability rather than a traditional consolidation play.
“Henry Nuttall is a business with a strong heritage, loyal customer base and values that closely align with our own. This acquisition is about protecting that legacy while ensuring long-term stability and continued investment in British manufacturing.
Henry Nuttall will continue to operate independently, with the same people, standards and commitment to customers that have always defined the brand. We see this as a natural fit and an exciting step forward for the future.”
— Ferhat Akkaya
Director, RGM Leeds Ltd
Leeds Investment Strengthens Catering Equipment Sector Presence
The acquisition reflects a broader leeds investment strategy focused on building a multi-brand portfolio within specialist manufacturing sectors. By maintaining separate brand identities, RGM Leeds aims to preserve customer loyalty and market positioning while leveraging shared infrastructure, supply chain capability and financial resources across the group.
For Henry Nuttall customers, the deal promises continuity — products, services and day-to-day operations remain unchanged, with the existing team staying in place. Behind the scenes, however, access to RGM Leeds’ resources should provide enhanced resilience and investment capacity, particularly important as the catering equipment sector navigates post-pandemic demand patterns and supply chain pressures.
The structure mirrors acquisition strategies increasingly common in British manufacturing, where consolidators acquire heritage brands but resist full integration to avoid damaging established customer relationships and market reputation. RGM Leeds’ willingness to maintain dual brands suggests confidence in its ability to extract operational synergies without compromising commercial performance.
Why this matters for Leeds
This acquisition demonstrates that Leeds-based manufacturers can pursue growth through strategic M&A while maintaining operational independence for acquired brands. RGM Leeds’ commitment to preserving Henry Nuttall’s identity and British manufacturing base signals a consolidation model that respects heritage and customer relationships, potentially encouraging other family-owned Yorkshire manufacturers to consider similar partnerships. More broadly, it validates Leeds as a center for specialist manufacturing groups building multi-brand portfolios in niche sectors where engineering expertise and customer service create sustainable competitive advantages. 
