Warburtons makes more dough after diversifying

FAMILY-owned North West bakery giant Warburtons’ move into new product areas such as sandwich wraps and snacks has boosted annual revenues and profits.

The Bolton-based company, owned by the fifth generation of the family which founded the baking business in 1876, is now the largest independent bread brand in the country and employs around 4,500 people.

It has 12 bakeries across the country, and in March was granted planning permisssion for a £20m revamp of ifs Burnley site which will make wraps and sandwich thins.

Newly-filed accounts show that turnover in the year to September 28 2013 rose 7.3% to £562.1m.

Despite an 8% surge in raw material costs – a consequence of a jump in the price of what in 2012,  operating profits rocketed 52% to £33.9m.

In the directors’ report chairman Jonathan Warburton said: “The Warburtons business has continue to focus on the quality of product and service in order to maintain differentiation in what continues to be a very competitive market.

“Investment is focused on enhancing our capability to meet changing consumer trends. This focus on meeting customer needs continues in order to ensure we are well placed to progress in the future”.