Hull’s William Jackson Food Group expects sales to top £300m this year

Following a three-year accelerated growth period, Hessle-based food manufacturer William Jackson Food Group (WJFG) is expecting sales revenues to top £300m in the current financial year.

Operating as a portfolio of four food businesses in different market areas, including Aunt Bessie’s, WJFG has achieved a strong growth rate of 54% since 2012, making it one of the biggest rising firms in the UK’s competitive food industry.

As for the future, the family-owned company, which employs over 2,000 people across the UK, will be marking 2016 by strengthening the position and performance of its subsidiary brands even further, under the strategic direction of chief executive Norman Soutar.

Souter, who has seen the business achieve a 200% increase in Group revenue since joining in 2006, said: “The next five years will be critical for us as a parent brand as we seek to enhance our portfolio of independent businesses and double sales figures. By investing our time and energy into developing the autonomous strength of our subsidiaries, we’re confident our collective profile will continue to flourish.”

Founded in 1851 WJFG currently works with frozen food expert Aunt Bessie’s, sandwich bread producer Jackson’s Bakery, fresh vegetable specialists MyFresh and organic grocers Abel & Cole – the newest addition to the WJFG fold.

Welcomed in 2012, Abel & Cole has enjoyed double digit growth every year since joining the Group. By targeting different markets and sets of consumers to the other subsidiaries, the WJFG corporate parenting model has given Abel & Cole the independence to carve out a new category in food home delivery and create a source of sustainable competitive advantage.

Established subsidiary Aunt Bessie’s is building its profile amongst consumers with the current multi-million pound commercial sponsorship of popular ITV show, ‘I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!’, which is one of the higher profile sponsorship ventures within the Group’s portfolio.

Soutar added: “The performance levels of our subsidiaries have never been better, thanks to the talented people we have employed and empowered to develop and grow their businesses over the years. To continue on this growth trajectory, we’re looking at potential options for a fifth subsidiary to expand our diverse yet complementary offering, giving customers a new choice that upholds the quality and popularity expected of WJFG brands.”

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