Ringtons brew up £40m turnover success

Ringtons tea firm have brewed up business success after seeing its turnover increase to over £40m.

The turnover is a first for the Newcastle-based family firm, who have been in business since 1907.

Ringtons workforce increased from 460 to 483 in the year ending June 2012 and their sales topped £41m.

The company which delivers products via its door-to-door service reinvested almost £1m over the last year into enhancing its production facilities.

Part of the investment was poured into the installation of a new flavouring, fruit and herb blending lines at its Longbenton production plant.

Nigel Smith, executive chairman at Newcastle-based Ringtons, said: “Last year was an exciting time for the company that saw our tea volumes climb significantly higher as we continued to develop strong relationships with supermarkets and grocers.

“We also secured a number of prestigious new clients through our trade food services division Ringtons Beverages.

“As we look ahead we remain focused on working with our supermarket and grocer customers, expanding our Beverages customer portfolio, driving factory efficiencies and developing a range of exciting new products to further delight our growing customer base and to build on the successes of 2012 through continuous investment.”

The last year has also seen the launch of a state-of-the-art Barista Training Facility at the Byker head office, which has also allowed Ringtons to further strengthen its position in the business-to-business marketplace.

A new partnership with Port of Tyne, which launched in September 2012, once again saw Ringtons’ teas shipped and stored at the South Shields-based facility – a move which has reinforced Ringtons’ commitment to the region.

The company has also continued to expand its franchise business in the south of England and has introduced later delivery hours for doorstep delivery.

Simon Smith, chief executive at Ringtons, added: “We are very proud to see the business going from strength-to-strength which is supported by so many loyal customers nationwide and a truly outstanding workforce.

“In 2013 we will continue to forge ahead with our investment strategy, which will see an additional £1million reinvested in improving our packing capacity and production facilities with further to come in the years ahead.

“Later this year the Ringtons brand will also introduce new packaging designs across all our product ranges.

“We anticipate all of this activity will help to further boost our performance this year.”

Donations to the Community Foundation Ringtons Fund are now in excess of £1million, the fund, which was set up in 1995, aims to support women, families, the elderly, those experiencing poverty and people with disabilities living across Tyne and Wear and Northumberland.