History of the Group 1990's
1999
Clothing retail continued its expansion with further organic growth and 10 stores purchased from the Co-op. SPI Polyols, which supplies a range of alternative sweeteners compliments the group's other activities.
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1998
Despite the difficult market conditions, ABF's underlying sales growth was 6% and the group continued to invest in the latest technologies, spending some £226m on capital equipment.
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1997
The group's sale of its retail food interests in Ireland sold to Tesco realised £639m in cash, with a profit on sale of £420m. The group's clothing retail operations, Penneys in Ireland and Primark in the UK grew further, bolstered by the acquisition of the One-Up stores.
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1995
The group acquired a specialty oils business and cheese analogs business in the US. These businesses began trading through two new corporate identities, Abitec Corporation and AC Humko Corporation.
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1994
Completion of the modernisation and expansion of British Sugar's Wissington site was completed at a cost of some £50m.
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1993
Turnover exceeded £4bn for the first time.
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1991
The group's growth within its core business was boosted with the acquisition of British Sugar for £880m.
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