Binghams Foods - Sheffield manufacturers of potted beef and beef and salmon spreads fame - is back in private ownership again thanks to financial help from UK Steel Enterprise, South Yorkshire Investment Fund and the Alliance and Leicester Bank after over 30 years under the corporate umbrella of Northern Foods

In Rotherham, the same financial teams have helped bakery manager Kevin Rowbottom realise his dream of becoming the boss with loans towards the buy out of B Thornton & Sons bakery from the Green family as two brothers retired.

Peter Moon, general manager of Bingham's back in the late 80s, has bought the Western Road, Crookes company with wife Stella. He had tried to buy it early in 2007, but he was pipped at the post by Pork Farms. Then, a few months later, he was asked if he was still interested in buying the company - and the deal was done.

"I couldn't believe it when I got that call," he remembers. "To come back to the company where I was a manager all those years ago is terrific, and there are even a couple of people still here who were there then. In fact, most of our 22 staff have over 10 years with the company."

Now he is intent on expanding their product range which was started off with Yorkshire potted beef back in 1914 by company founder Charlie Bingham. He has just launched a new beef and tomato spread which is contributing well to increased turnover.

"Bingham's is one of only a few companies which still maintains van sales with drivers delivering to corner shops, care homes, and other retail outlets," he said. " It is a wonderful way of getting instant feedback on new products."

Kevin has been with his company over 25 years, starting out as a schoolboy washing the company's bread vans for pocket money. He and his staff of nine are determined to carry on the reputation of B. Thornton and Sons from its site in Tenter Street, Rotherham.

At UK Steel Enterprise regional executive Allan Wood commented, "Despite the current pressures on prices of their raw materials, here are two local companies making successes of their traditional businesses in the food industry.

"Supporting long standing companies gives us a great sense of satisfaction, and their new experienced management will hopefully ensure their sustainability in the future."

South Yorkshire Investment Fund investment director Karl Hodson added, "We are pleased to support both these South Yorkshire businesses that are succeeding in their aim to keep old traditions alive. It is great to see them go from strength to strength, developing new ideas but also maintaining the principles that have given them such a good reputation over the years.

We have worked closely with other lenders to provide financial packages that suit the needs of the companies involved."

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