Samworth Brothers has put malt loaf brand Soreen up for sale as it attempts to focus on its core range of products.

It is understood the food and drink manufacturer is working with financial adviser Spayne Lindsay to offload the brand, reported the Grocer.

City sources claim that Soreen could be worth up to £75m, with rival food manufacturers Premier Foods, Valeo Foods and the Finsbury Food Group all thought to be eyeing the business.

However, Soreen could also be snapped up by private equity, although this is expected to be a less likely outcome than a sale to a trade buyer.

Soreen’s sales rose 13% in 2023 to £41m, while EBITDA increased from £4.7m to £6m.

Subscribe to Grocery Gazette for free

Sign up here to get the latest grocery and food news each morning

Elsewhere, Samworth Brothers have been fined £1.28m following an employee’s death at a facility used by the food manufacturer.

The worker was fatally crushed after being struck by a lorry in the loading bay of the site in Callington, Cornwall.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation ruled that the food manufacturer had not adequately assessed the risks surrounding the safety curtains in the loading bay, which led to the tragic accident, and ordered Samworth Brothers to pay the fine.

Samworth Brothers has been contacted for comment.