Top-fruit supplier Newmafruit is in “buoyant” shape for 2011 after enjoying a strong year of growth.
The Newmafruit group of companies' consolidated accounts recorded a like-for-like operating profit before exceptional items of £2.004m for the year to 31 May 2010, up from £1.493m the previous year.
Managing Director Melvyn Newman told FPJ, as members of Asplins PO Ltd, there is continual reinvestment in the business and the company is very much on an upward curve.
He said: “That was a strong year as quality was good which had a knock-on effect on grading, packing and marketing.
“We have improved our cold storage in the last few years with SmartFresh and we are investing in new equipment - tractors, sprayers and possibly a grader.”
Newman said the company is also spending £200,000 refurbishing its storage facilities and is starting to see the results of its new 18-month-old nursery.
The firm is also looking at increasing production of pears and cherries alongside further plantings of Royal Gala apples.
Newman praised the work of promotional body English Apples & Pears in driving up supermarket interest in home-grown fruit.
He said: “There has been an increase in support from the supermarkets for local produce and that’s down to Adrian Barlow’s fantastic work at English Apples & Pears.
“These things do not happen overnight and it has been a cumulative effect with positive advertising and marketing of English apples over several years. Some supermarkets are more supportive than others but some are definitely keen to support English top fruit.”
Newman added: “We have got good relationships with the supermarkets, the people we deal with and our staff. We have put a lot of investment into what we do.”
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