McClures-Crafter

Independent foodservice wholesaler McClures has joined the Country Range Group (CRG) as its latest member.

The Windermere-based wholesaler will be the fifth member to join the buying group this year, and the 15th member overall.

Established in 1945, family-owned McClures started by selling Morecambe Bay shrimps from a cart in in Kendal, and now serves foodservice businesses in the English Lake District area, Cumbria and the north of England.

Today McClures has a £27m turnover and 160 staff members, operates 40 vehicles, and supplies over 4,000 product lines to thousands of chefs.

“We’re excited to become part of the Country Range Group and are confident that their expertise, purchasing power, and focus on continuous improvement will enhance our portfolio, service and business as a whole, helping to fuel significant growth in the coming years,” said executive chairman Keith McClure.

Country Range Group CEO Martin Ward added: “It’s a huge honour to welcome McClures to the Country Range Group. With 80 years of trading experience behind them, an incredible team and a reputation for putting customers first, we’re certain that our values, ambition and targets align perfectly.”

Last month, CRG welcomed its first wholesale member outside of the UK, Spain-based Europ Foods.