Impressive as Albert Bartlett’s £165.1 million turnover might be, it is overshadowed by the company’s huge investment in a new potato processing factory, marking its return to the frozen potato market. Costing over £60m, the factory will create “hundreds” of jobs at the firm’s Airdrie site.
The firm says it made the investment without a specific customer in mind, and intends on “breaking ground” with plans in the new year. The site will produce processed potato products, such as frozen chips, and is the company’s second attempt to enter the processed market – its 2009 launch was pulled only a year later to concentrate on fresh.
Elsewhere, turnover was achieved by increased sales of the successful Albert Bartlett Rooster brand, as well as high-priced raw material driving market inflation. Going forward, the company says it will continue to grow internationally with a number of new customers for Albert Bartlett Rooster in the US, Canada and Europe.
“Unrivalled focus on the customer” is what sets Albert Bartlett apart, a spokesperson says. “This is achieved by significant investment in R&D, varietal development, infrastructure and marketing. This is rewarded by strong loyalty and increased sales in a declining market for our branded products.”
With growing divisions in Scotland, Lincolnshire and Jersey – home to its Jersey Royal operations – plus the processing venture, Albert Bartlett’s future is certainly looking bright.
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