this business, established some 12 years ago by the current vendors manufactures a range of organic safe foods on an international scale. From humble beginnings baking breads in their own kitchen this business has developed into a first class multi site european manufacturing operation supplying large blue chip customers on an international scale. Whilst the company has grown at an impressive rate the owners have ensured that the same principles still apply today with regards to the quality of the raw materials it uses and production techniques, as when they first started baking for their own use. Because of this the business is proud to boast that it’s products are gluten free, g.m. Free, animal fat free, salt free, wheat free, dairy free and sugar free where applicable. The products also contain no unnatural preservatives. The company currently provides a comprehensive range of “own brand” products to the market. The initial range was launched in 2002 and includes: • cereals • bread & cake mixes • cookies & biscuits • rice cakes • sup & sauce mixes • stuffing mixes the company sells its own brand as well as manufacturing own label for some of its customers including the major supermarket chains. The company is continually developing new products such is the demand for healthy foods. Its range of products are suitable for coeliacs, vegetarians, vegans, low fat diets and in some cases diabetics. As well as the uk and irish marketplace the company has exported to hong kong, italy, belgium and holland, germany, finland, dubai, denmark and hungary, both direct and via major distributors. Equipment: both manufacturing sites have benefited from significant investment to date and this is reflected through the accreditations and approvals the business enjoys. The buildings themselves have been extensively refurbished and equipped with high quality manufacturing and production equipment, computer systems and fixtures and fittings. The company has a healthy balance sheet that reflects the investment to date. Quality assurance: british retail consortium “a” grade accredited organic certification from the organic trust of ireland licensed membership of uk coeliac society member of the fuschia group (audited by national food centre). A further endorsement to the quality of products this company produces is that several of its products are now available on prescription from the nhs (uk). Customer service: like in any business, customer care is key. The business prides itself on providing its customers with only the highest quality products on a consistent basis. This is done by working closely with both suppliers and customers alike. The business enjoys very high levels of repeat business and has also won awards for innovation, healthy eating and business practices. This level of customer service is backed up by impressive accreditations and management practices the business has in place. Quite simply, if the product does not taste really good this company does not produce it! key strengths: • products that have really good taste rather than “blandness” • company ethos • quality of staff and senior management • manufacturing capability with room for future expansion • brc “a” grade accreditation which enables supply to the large european supermarket chains • brand awareness • financial model • customer base • global market that has longevity and massive potential • unique recipes and product offerings • grant aid for development and beneficial tax regimes growth and expansion: the demand for healthy, safe, additive free foods is huge and experiencing massive growth throughout the world. According to the grocer magazine 20% of all people have food intolerance some time during their lives. Mintel stated way back in 2003 that in the uk alone some 17million people have some form of food intolerance(real and perceived). If you look at this on a global scale and also take into account those that are intolerant to dairy products, sugar products, nuts, starches and so on the market is estimated to be worth circa £6 billion. This business has the knowledge, brands, products, distributors and accreditations in place to maximise this opportunity. This is already evident with current figures suggesting that the forecast for the current year will be achieved and surpassed. Key opportunities: there are many opportunities to develop the business for sustained profitability into the future. • many of the existing healthy brands distributors within europe do not have the capability to make the products this company manufactures but are keen to add this range to their own range. • in addition to this the large supermarkets and health stores chains sell their own-label ranges of dietary and gluten free products in their stores and would be keen to develop the range to incorporate this company’s unique quality offerings into it. The business is already developing a “non organic” brand called ‘goodness me’ that it plans to launch on to the world market in the near future via a major uk distributor. This new range that maintains the good taste and clean label will allow the business to substantially increase its market share still further.
