Ready Meals manufacturers Help Boost Rectory Foods Growth
June was Rectory Foods’ strongest month ever according to new financial figures released by the Cheshire-based poultry and meat supplier.
The products showing the most significant growth are Rectory Foods’ fresh raw skin-on and skinless chicken breast and supremes under the popular Woodbury Farm trade brand. Reports show that year-on-year sales have increased by over 100% (June 2009 and June 2010) and continued growth is expected throughout 2010. Carl Scothorne Sales Director at Rectory Foods says: “The success of our Woodbury Farm chicken breasts and supremes is down to four key factors: a boost in demand during the World Cup and the good weather, the high quality of the product we supply, the popularity of the recognisable floral box and the strength of our sales team.
“We noted a definite ‘World Cup Effect’ with sales increasing in the run up to the tournament, then showing a slight dip once England were out of the running. In addition, thanks to the warm weather across the country, more people have been having BBQs at home and eating out, which has also added to our sales. “It seems unusual to put this success down to the design of the box, but our customers definitely recognise the brand and associate the packaging with a high quality, premium fresh poultry product.”
The Woodbury Farm raw products are packed in Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) in a controlled environment, in facilities with high hygiene standards. This extends the shelf-life of the product, as the less bacteria poultry comes into contact with, the higher the quality and the longer it stays fresh. The products stay fresh for up to 15 days from delivery, meaning chefs, butchers and other customers are guaranteed a quality product that can be refrigerated and used as needed.
Consumers who then buy the product, either in pubs and bars or supermarkets and butchers, also experience the benefits of these poultry products and return to buy more, boosting the bottom line of the outlet.
“We sell to wholesalers and the foodservice industry, butchers, supermarkets and food processors and we are seeing demand increase month by month. We have listened to our customers and strive to meet their needs, which is why we have so much repeat business. Many of our customers, from chefs to ready meal manufacturers, want quality poultry that is well-trimmed for minimum wastage, has a long shelf life, is well calibrated and provides consistent weight across all product and our aim is to meet all these requirements.
“Listings of our Woodbury Farm products have increased most notably in chicken restaurants, ready meal manufacturers, catering companies, foodservice outlets including pubs, hotels and restaurants, as well as to butchers, meat wholesalers, distributors and suppliers.”
Much of this growth is down to existing customers purchasing larger quantities of poultry to meet consumer demand, and the sales team has successfully managed to secure new custom thanks to Rectory Foods’ growing reputation in the food industry.
Charles Woolley, Founder and CEO of Rectory Foods says: “This is an exciting time for us, as we are becoming more of a force in the poultry industry both in the UK and internationally. It is a very competitive and buoyant sector and for us to be doing so well while many companies are still feeling the pinch of the recession demonstrates that we have got all the elements right and are giving our customers what they want – namely, quality poultry, on time, at a competitive price.
“June was our most successful month ever and we are thrilled for the business to be doing so well. We look forward to more great results during the second half of the year.”
Carl Scothorne has overall responsibility for the Woodbury Farm raw, fresh poultry products, supported by Gary Dunham, Ruth Harding & Amy Shaw.
June was Rectory Foods’ strongest month ever according to new financial figures released by the Cheshire-based poultry and meat supplier.