The second-biggest fresh fruit and vegetable business in the inaugural FPJ Big 50 is forward-thinking grower and supplier Fresca Group.
While turnover for the group’s wholly-owned subsidiaries such as the Mack business amounts to £328.2 million, Fresca has grown in recent years through a number of joint ventures, most of which are 50:50 holdings.
Companies in which the group’s holding is 50 per cent include Thanet Earth, MMG Citrus and Manor Fresh –names familiar to most, if not everybody, in the trade. When these firms’ figures are added to the turnover for the group’s wholly-owned ventures, the Fresca Group’s turnover for the most recent financial year would be £426.8m.
Chris Mack, group chairman, says: “Our group has diverse interests and doesn’t have a single product specialism or focus. As a grower, we’re at Thanet Earth with tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers; at DGM Growers with chicory and niche vegetables; and at Wallings Nursery for strawberries. Our largest company is Mack, sourcing, ripening and packing a comprehensive range of fruit and vegetables from our Paddock Wood headquarters. MMG Citrus is our partnership with Spanish citrus giant Martinavarro, Primafruit is known for its imported fruit business, and Manor Fresh is a potato and vegetable specialist.”
Not only that, the Fresca Group retains a strong presence in wholesale markets at Birmingham, Bristol and Southampton, and has also established a cruise ship supply business. Furthermore, banana ripening centres at Bishop’s Stortford and Paddock Wood support a long-established banana business for Fresca, and last year, some 212m bananas came through its facilities.
As for how the Fresca Group achieved such a significant turnover, Mack says: “We focus on providing our customers with what they need. To support that aim we work with the best growers in the UK and around the world, and we approach our business relationships with a long-term view. We’re known for brave decisions, unusual business models and significant investments; working from the base principle that if we can help our customers achieve category growth and drive demand then we and our growers will benefit from the increase in business. This encourages innovation and a culture of continuous improvement across all our companies.”
Fresca was formed in 2005 as the holding company for the fast-expanding group, although the company dates back to 1874 when Matthew Mack started operating a stand at the Tin Market at Covent Garden.
The overwhelming majority of modern-day Fresca’s business is conducted in the UK, with a small percentage of its sales going to customers in Europe or further afield.
Going forward, Mack says the focus will continue to be on the UK market, but that Fresca expects to see a little growth in overseas sales over the next five years as it learns more about the opportunities available.
He also notes that the group is determined to keep pushing boundaries and seeking new opportunities where they complement its strategy.
Continuing the construction of Thanet Earth will also be an important focus for Fresca, along with improvements to the group’s overall facilities to ensure that it “supports its growing business with the right tools.”
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