Food company Independent Irish Health Foods (IIHF) has been acquired by Bellingham Capital for an undisclosed sum.

The company, which began life near Farranfore in 2008 is now headquartered in Ballyvourney, was founded by Richard Wilkins and Killarney man Henry Bartlett.

They will both stay on as consultants.

Independent Irish Health Foods is a leading distributor and wholesaler of health foods and related products to over one thousand customers across the island of Ireland and continental Europe.

The company had a turnover of €25 million in 2021 and employs 89 people.

“This is a very exciting time and the acquisition of IIHF represents a positive step forward for the company,” Henry Bartlett said.

"Bellingham Capital is the ideal partner for the business as it seeks to continue to build on its investments in the health foods sector. We look forward to working with Mark Goodman and his team as we look to position IIHF for further growth on both the Irish and international markets.”

IIHF offers over ten thousand different health food products to its international customer base and these products include leading vegetarian, vegan, organic, free-from and fair-trade brands sourced from highly rated suppliers across the globe.

The Bellingham Group operates across the farming, hospitality and retail food distribution sectors and its companies employ 230 people. Bellingham Group companies currently have a combined turnover of €80 million.