London and Dubai, dnata, today announced it has acquired a majority stake in En Route International Ltd, a supplier of bakery and packaged food solutions with operations in London, Dubai and the United States of America.

En Route International has ten years’ catering experience in the travel market with an annual turnover of GBP12 million. Its client list includes British Airways, Delta and Emirates. En Route also operates key distribution centres at two of the world’s busiest airports – London Heathrow in the UK and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the USA.

dnata established in 1959, is part of the the Emirates Group (wholly owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD)*). Global expansion was launched in 2008 starting with the acquisition of a 23% share in the corporate travel company, Hogg Robinson Group (HRG) and 49% acquisition of the outsource provider, Mind Pearl. In January 2011 dnata acquired in-flight caterer Alpha Flight Group Limited and in December 2011 a 50% stake in Wings Inflight Services..

“En Route is a niche player which offers highly creative and innovative food solutions, supported by robust logistics”, said Stewart Angus, Divisional Senior Vice President, Associated Companies. “It will continue to operate independently under the charismatic leadership of its Managing Director and founder, Alison Lessmann. We look forward to developing and growing the business and to expanding its capability elsewhere”.

“Becoming part of dnata brings a number of new opportunities to En Route and will undoubtedly enhance our ability to develop and distribute our products to a wider audience,” said Alison Lessmann, Managing Director, En Route. “That will enable us to both grow the business and provide greater opportunities and a secure future for our employees.”

Source: dnata

* The Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD) is a sovereign wealth fund owned by the government of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Established in May 2006 with the transfer of the government's portfolio of investments from The Department of Finance's Investment Division, its role is to supervise the government's investment portfolio while adding value.