Historic Bristol chocolate firm Elizabeth Shaw was today acquired for £2.5m by Polish confectionery company Colian.
A leading producer and distributor of confectionery products, Colian has a number of well-known brands in the sector in its domestic market and exports to more than 60 countries worldwide. 
Elizabeth Shaw makes premium quality chocolate, including the iconic Mint Crisp and Famous Names liqueurs. It was founded in 1881 as HJ Packer in Armoury Square, St Pauls.
Manufacturing at the firm’s historic Greenbank factory, which had opened in 1903 and once employed hundreds of workers, ended in 2006.
Production of its two key brands – Elizabeth Shaw Mint Crisp, launched in 1937, and Famous Names liqueur-filled chocolates, launched in 1961 – is outsourced to a number of sites around the UK and Europe. Its head office is now in Stoke Gifford.
The firm said the support of Colian signified a new chapter in its future and a commitment to securing long-term growth of the business.
Elizabeth Shaw managing director Karen Crawford said: “Colian has a wealth of experience in the confectionery market and ambitious growth plans. The acquisition of Elizabeth Shaw brings a well-respected quality brand with English heritage into the Colian portfolio. I am delighted and excited to be working with them on the next phase of Elizabeth Shaw’s expansion.”
Elizabeth Shaw was bought by its management for £6m from Dutch owner Leaf in 2000. It has since had two other changes of ownership and was most recently owned by Norwegian fund Imagine Capital. 
Colian paid £1.75m today and will pay the balance in 18 months.
