Calder Foods of Carlisle has been sold to a US multinational.

Flagship Europe has paid an undisclosed sum to acquire the business, on Burgh Road Road Industrial Estate, which employs 150 people.

It makes sandwich fillings, salads, sauces, marinades, dips and mayonnaise under its own brands – Love Fresh and Love Sauces – and customers’ private labels, generating sales of £22m a year.

Calder Foods was owned by founders Paul Barker and his brother-in-law Nigel Harrison, who will stay as joint managing directors and have received shares in Flagship as part of the deal.

The business will continue to trade as Calder Foods.

Flagship was chosen from five offers tabled by trade and private equity investors.

Mr Barker and Mr Harrison said in a joint statement: “This is one of the toughest business and personal decisions we have ever had to make. We are delighted to be joining the Flagship family.

"The partnership provides a golden opportunity to develop the Calder Foods portfolio, taking advantage of Flagship Europe's wider customer base in the food service sectors to promote sales."

Flagship Europe is a subsidiary of Flagship Food Group, a food and consumer products company based in Los Angeles.

Russell Maddock, chief executive of Flagship Europe, said: “Calder Foods has an exceptional reputation within the food service sector and their products will provide the perfect complement to our own portfolio of 'food-to-go' products.

“We look forward to a smooth transition and to further developing both the business and the Love Fresh brand under the Flagship Europe umbrella."