Investment appears to be the driving force behind a triumphant 2013-14 for Fresh Direct, which has extended existing facilities to take advantage of market opportunities.
While the company is predominantly concerned with fresh produce, which accounts for some 67 per cent of its business, it also supplies dairy, meat and fish products – an area that is set to expand following its recent deal with Brakes owner Bain Capital.
Bain Capital and Nigel Harris, the chief executive of Fresh Direct, will jointly own the new company, which will operate under Fresh Direct’s name. David Burns, the current managing director of Fresh Direct, will become chief executive of the new company.
Commenting on the news, he said: “When considering this opportunity, we needed to agree that it enhanced and added value to our business plans, giving due consideration to our customer requirements in a rapidly evolving market. Therefore, I’m very excited at the decision we have arrived at. This opportunity stood out head and shoulders above other possibilities, was good for employees and provided broader opportunities for our customers.”
This also bodes well for future profits, yet it’s not just mergers that mark the company out as one to watch. Fresh Direct has been steadily expanding facilities from its fresh kitchen at Bicester, and at its London depot, with plans to do the same at Wigan and Norwich.
