A NORTH Yorkshire animal nutrition business has been acquired by global firm Devenish Nutrition.

The company, which has production facilities in Northern Ireland, England and North America, has bought out Thirsk-based A-One Feed Supplements.

A-One will now become part of Devenish, which was founded more than 60 years ago and specialises in developing and supplying research driven nutritional solutions to the pig, poultry, ruminant, companion animal and equine sectors.

The A-One Feed brand will continue to operate alongside Devenish’s existing product range.

Owen Brennan, chairman and chief executive of the Devenish Group said: "This acquisition has been on our radar for some time and is a significant part of our long term growth strategy."

Andrew Simpson, former owner of A-One, said: "Devenish Nutrition has had great success in the UK, Ireland and internationally.

"That success, combined with their recent investment into food grade production facilities at Widnes and an organic mill in Sheffield, made Devenish the ideal partner to combine our strengths with. I am confident the A-One brand will continue to excel under their ownership."

A-One was founded in 1975 and employs a team of 40 at its base in Dishforth, near Thirsk.

Patrick McLaughlin, cheif executive of Devenish Nutrition UK and Ireland, said: "Under the leadership of Andrew Simpson for almost 40 years, A-One has become a successful and highly regarded company with a rich heritage in developing high quality specialist products.

"Indeed, the pioneering nature of the company has been demonstrated over its history, back to its introduction of milk powder in piglet nutrition in the 1970s/

"That approach is very much aligned with the Devenish commitment to driving performance led innovation in the agri sector and we are proud to now be bringing the A-One Feeds brand under our ownership."