This has been a good few years for Lincolnshire-based potato supplier Branston, crowned by a £20 million rise in turnover during the most recent financial year.
Established as a co-operative in 1968, Branston has since become a limited company. It produces both fresh and prepared products, and supplies to retail, wholesale, foodservice and processing customers. The business operates over three sites, with four factories – two of which were acquisitions.
As to how Branston achieved its latest UK turnover, MD Graeme Beattie says: “Essentially, Branston grew with Tesco. When we first began supplying to the supermarket giant, we were one of 16 potato suppliers – now, we’re one of three. Our growth is down to an entrepreneurial attitude to business. We’re always keen to evolve and invest to ensure a successful future.”
CSR credentials are hugely important to Branston – it was the first company in the arable food and farming sector to earn the Carbon Trust Standard in all three areas, while on-site anaerobic digestion and photovoltaic solar technologies are enabling the firm to generate around 25 per cent of its electricity needs.
Branston is also investing in the prepared side of the business, but Beattie cautions: “The potato industry is up against some major challenges, but by investing sustainably and by finding ways to deliver products that customers really want, Branston is aiming to drive sales.”
