A thousand jobs have been secured in Bradford as two firms have been involved in takeover bids worth nearly £240 million.

Some 750 jobs have been secured with the proposed £194 million takeover by a global American firm of Field Group, which has a major carton and packaging factory in Lidget Green, Bradford.

And an assurance has been given that 210 jobs will stay at the Fishers Quality Foods factory in Harrogate Road, Bradford, when Unigate buys the division of the Albert Fisher Group for £43 million. The firm makes the well-known Hammond Sauce brand which gave its name to the Hammond Sauce Works Band.

Field Group, which was founded in the city, has yet to consult with shareholders over the takeover bid by the Chesapeake Corporation which is based in Richmond, Virginia, USA. But they are expected to give the go-ahead to the takeover which is being recommended by both boards.

A spokesman for Field Group said today jobs were secure at the firm and the Bradford factory would benefit from being part of the global Chesapeake group through the deal.

She said: "Business will be as usual and the management team will stay in place when the takeover goes ahead."

Unigate is to merge the Fisher Quality Foods division of the Albert Fisher Group with its fresh foods division after the takeover. FQF is a leading supplier of sauces, dressings and marinades in the UK. Operating profits last year were £4.4 million.

Sir Ross Buckland, chief executive of Unigate said: "Fisher Quality Foods has grown consistently over the last four years through product innovation and the success of its new product development. There are excellent opportunities for further development of the business."

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