With a turnover of £113 million, Natures Way Foods describes itself as “one of the most ambitious” fresh prepared companies in the UK.
“The last financial period has been challenging for this industry,” the company stated in its 2013 report. “In part this was due to record levels of rainfall in the first half, which led to a dampening effect on demand and resulted in raw materials being sourced outside of the UK.”
The Sussex-headquartered firm supplies major retailers including Tesco, Asda and Morrisons, as well as food chains Pret, Costa Coffee, McDonald’s and Itsu. Its three sites employ around 890 people, and include the company’s most recent investment – a £15m prepared fruit factory at Merston that can also handle protein meals – as well as specialist leaf processing facilities at Runcton and Selsey.
A spokesperson says: “The company has built its success through long-term supplier and customer relationships, and is focused on working with all parts of the supply chain to deliver the right offer for consumers.”
NWF is also set to benefit from the ongoing trend for convenience, with product lines that include bagged salads, salad bowls and salad meals, prepared fruit, coleslaw and potato salads. As the company celebrates its 20th birthday this year, this well-established prepared salads supplier seems set for the next period of growth.
