Peanut butter and innovation drives family firm’s growth
FAMILY-owned food manufacturer Duerr’s, the south Manchester maker of jams, table sauces and marmalades is seeing an increasing hunger for nut-based products like peanut butter drive its growth.
The company has created a new premium brand called Hi-PRO, which was launched into 300 Sainsbury’s stores in the autumn and has made a flying start.
Managing director Mark Duerr, a fifth generation family member, told TheBusinessDesk.com that the new brand was the first of several product coming to market in the near future.
“We are looking at something new with our marmalades too. We are very pleased with Hi-PRO, sales have been great this month as people have focused on health eating after the Christmas period.”
Duerr said the company was on track for “another good year” in the 12 months to the end of March.
Recently filed accounts for the 12 months to March 2015 showed sales climbing 10% to £64m, while profits, thanks to lower commodity prices and favourable exchange rates surged from £1.8m to £3.3m.
Duerrs, based in Wythenshawe, is the country’s largest peanut butter manufacturer.
It also suppliers ceral giant Kellogg’s Trafford Park manufacturing plant with honey for its Crunchy Nut Cornflakes. It supplies a range of national retailers and employs around 250 people.
