As one of the UK’s leading growers, packers and distributors of salads, tomatoes and herbs, it’s little surprise to see Vitacress so high up the list, and total turnover for fully-owned arms of the Vitacress group in the most recent financial year was £166.4 million.
Vitacress was established in 1951 with just one acre of watercress. In 2008, Vitacress was acquired by the RAR Group, a Portuguese firm, and this, along with the merger of the three UK produce businesses – VHB Herbs, Wight Salads and Vitacress Salads – has further strengthened the company’s position in the UK market.
Vitacress believes that at the heart of its success is innovation in three areas: product, supply chain and responsible farming.
Toby Brinsmead, chief executive of Vitacress, says: “Our unique, integrated approach to growing, harvesting, transporting and processing, packing and distributing our own produce means the company is able to maintain high quality and excellent consistency. The business is at the leading edge of varietal development, and has launched a significant number of new and exciting varieties and formats of herbs, tomatoes and salad leaves to the UK market.”
Looking ahead, Brinsmead adds: “Following the merger of the three businesses, Vitacress is continuing to sharpen its commercial focus, thus ensuring that the business retains and develops its range of products, processes and ways of working.”
