Specialising in premium and prepared vegetables, Finlays Produce supplies 155 product lines to the UK retail and foodservice sectors. The company, which claims it was the first to bring Fairtrade produce to the UK, reports that it traded well during 2013, despite a more competitive environment, thanks to securing a contract with a new UK retailer.
Its predicted turnover for 2014 of around £104 million suggests it could secure a higher ranking in next year’s FPJ Big 50, as its dedicated supply partnerships and hedging policy ensure careful, yet sustained growth. The company now supplies six UK retailers, and confirms that it has no mergers in the pipeline that could affect future results.
Through Finlays Growing Group, a growing and marketing co-operative, Finlays partners with UK asparagus and veg specialist Cobrey Farms, as well as UK chilli grower Salvatore Genovese, Kenyan supplier AAA Growers and Guatemalan export giant Grupo Siesa.
The company also has a joint venture with Dutch marketer Best Fresh Group to market premium vegetables in Europe.
In its 2013 business report, the business said it procures from a diverse geographical area to reduce risk of supply disruption from localised adverse weather and political issues. It uses a hedging policy to smooth the impact from mobile exchange rates and fuel prices from this varied supply base.
