It’s one of the UK’s flagship fresh produce companies, and enjoyed a key role on the primetime BBC TV series Harvest. Produce World, with its turnover of £186 million for the year ending 28 June 2013, could be even bigger this time next year too, as turnover and profits will be boosted by the recent acquisitions of Scottish roots business TIO and Fenmarc’s roots arm – moves that also highlight Produce World’s fierce growth ambitions.
The Lincolnshire-based Produce World Group traces its history back to 1898, when the Burgess family – which is still involved in the business today – began trading in fresh produce.
The group has grown significantly over the past decade through a combination of organic growth and acquisition. It now serves four major retailers, and grows and supplies conventional roots, alliums, potatoes and brassicas. It is also the UK’s leading grower and supplier of organic veg.
Neil Fraser, Produce World executive chairman, says: “There are a number of key factors in the group’s continuing success, including working closely with growers, as well as being a grower ourselves, implementing Lean practices across the business, and developing a culture of engagement with colleagues.
“Group sales are almost exclusively in the UK and, thus, UK customers and consumers are critical to our success. The group works closely with its customers to ensure it meets the needs of consumers, and has done lots of consumer insight work with this in mind.”
