Partner Article

Gilbert?s Foods opens new Australian office

Gilbert’s Foods, a leading supplier of quality meat and poultry dishes to the wholesale, foodservice and retail sectors, has opened a new division in Brisbane, Australia, hit its end of year year sales figures for 2012 and announced further growth and recruitment plans for 2013 and beyond.

Operating as Gilbert’s Foods Australia, the new facility is responsible for the handling, sourcing, importing and exporting of quality meat products. The office will be managed by Andrew Smith, brother of Peter Smith, managing director of the UK operation in Heysham, Lancashire.

The announcement comes following audits, inspections and supplier reviews to ensure all products meet the British and Australian standards, allowing meat finished cooked products to be sold into major foodservice, retail and manufacturing operations in Australia. Currently, 20 products will be available to the Australian marketplace.

The UK market now also has the opportunity to purchase quality raw meat cuts direct from Gilbert’s Foods Australia through the head office in Lancashire.

In the UK, the company achieved its best year ever in 2012, smashing a sales target of £10 million, up from £6 million in 2011. Further growth is planned for 2013, with a focus on developing the British market and expansion into Europe. In addition, the company has increased its storage facility by investing in a 5000 square foot site in Lancashire, allowing for an additional 300 pallets to be stored to facilitate larger orders.

Looking forward into 2013 and beyond the company is planning for more UK and international trade and has several acquisitions in the pipeline. It is also strengthening its offering by recruiting several graduates onto the sales and customers service team.

Peter Smith, managing director at Gilbert’s Foods, says: “This is a very exciting time for Gilbert’s Foods as we have officially launched the Australian division, achieved our ambitious sales target of £10m and our growth plans for the next 12 months look very positive. The Australian office will allow us to break into the retail, foodservice and wholesale markets over there and we have already secured some lucrative contracts. At the moment, our focus is on finished pork and lamb products but as the business develops, we will be increasing our offering, with the aim of becoming a well-respected, quality meat supplier in the Australian market.

“We put our UK sales success down to several key factors; a lot of hard work, a strong sales team, quality products, a reliable service and a significant boost in our profile in the food industry press. Plus, demand among our customers for innovative, quality meat dishes has allowed us to develop and launch new products. Our bespoke dishes and matched products have also been a success for us this year.

“Sales are almost equally divided between wholesale, foodservice and retail and while the UK is still a key market for us, we see Europe as an area of growth. Our new facility will allow us to increase capacity and output and we are keen to talk to companies looking for new meat product suppliers. We are also looking to grow the team in Lancashire, to further strengthen our customer service and to support business development.

“We are in a period of strong growth and all these developments put us in a good position to take the business forwards to become a major player in the UK and international food industry.”

Gilbert’s Foods’ products are available to purchase direct from head office (one pallet minimum order) or via a network of wholesalers, distributors and cash and carries across the UK.

For details of your nearest supplier or to find out more about Gilbert’s Foods, visit www.gilbertsfoods.co.uk, email enquiries@gilbertsfoods.co.uk, or call 01524 852378.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Gilbert’s Foods is a family-owned business, specialising in the sourcing, manufacture and supply of meat products. With around 50 meal centres in the portfolio, Gilbert’s Foods offers lamb, beef, pork, chicken and duck dishes, including stews, casseroles and ready meals, all designed specifically for reheating in the microwave, oven, grill, rotisserie or via the sous-vide method.

Operating from a purpose-built, EC approved, A-graded BRC meat manufacturing plant in Heysham, Lancashire, Gilbert’s Foods supplies to all areas of the food industry, including to retailers, caterers, the foodservice sector and to other food manufacturers across the UK.

Established in 1970, the company offers a bespoke recipe development service to meet specific customer requirements as well as cooking services and cooked IQF (Individually Quick Frozen) meats for food manufacturers and is keen to build partnerships with companies in the food industry.

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