 Northern said it could now focus on its core business |
Northern Foods has said the businesses it has retained after the firm's �200m disposal programme performed "in line with hopes" over Christmas. The Leeds-based group is selling off a number of under-performing operations and focusing on brands such as Fox's Biscuits and Goodfella's Pizzas.
The firm said trading remained competitive but said it was now well positioned for the future.
Chief executive Pat O'Driscoll said the focus would now be on core business.
As part of Northern's battle to improve its performance, it sold its speciality bread, chilled pastry, cakes and flour mill operations to London investment firm Vision Capital for �160m.
Ms O'Driscoll said: "We have seen the succesful completion of our disposal programme, achieving our targeted value within our planned timetable, and we can now focus on growing value in our core business."
Northern Foods, which also has brands including San Marco pizzas and Dalepak burgers, reported a continued growth in sales over 13 weeks to 30 December.
The company's chilled business, which supplies all major retailers with ready meals, sandwiches, soups and salads, saw the strongest growth.
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