Kingsmill owner ABF to buy Hovis to create bread giant

ABF is to buy Hovis and combine it with its bakery business (Premier Foods/PA) - (PA Media)

Kingsmill owner Associated British Foods (ABF) is to snap up Hovis Group and merge the historic business with its own bakery arm.

ABF, which also owns brands including Ryvita and Twinings, said it has “reached an agreement” to buy Hovis from private equity owner Endless.