This is a difficult time to assess Fenmarc’s future, and the company’s position on next year’s FPJ Big 50 has to be in some doubt given the events of the last few weeks.
First, the company’s Swinderby roots division was acquired by Produce World in late October. Then, this month, it was revealed that Asda’s buying arm, IPL, had entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire Fenmarc’s potato packing business in Westry, a move that is set to be completed in 2015.
Quite where that leaves Fenmarc as a business remains to be seen. The company still has a prepared vegetable division to its name, but a significant reduction in turnover seems inevitable following the two disposals.
It all follows a solid financial year for Fenmarc, in which turnover had increased by 13 per cent to almost £100 million following some new business success, and a stable profitability level.
In its annual report, the company said it had continued to invest in its operating assets at all its sites.
Fenmarc has also been doing a lot of public-facing work to enthuse consumers and kids about fresh produce, as well as putting a focus on employee development.
What’s in store for Fenmarc in 2015 remains unclear, but the changes at the company seen at the end of 2014 mean it seems inevitable it will be a different animal from the well-known business of recent years.
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