Exports help jam maker Duerr’s performance

FAMILY-owned food manufacturer Duerr’s, the south Manchester maker of jams, table sauces, peanut butter and marmalades, has kept its turnover steady at around £65m thanks to a 30% increase in overseas sales in a competitive market.

Newly filed accounts show turnover increased slightly to £64.9m for the year to the end of March 2016 (2015: £64.1m), while pre-tax profits remained stable at £3.3m.

Whilst UK sales dipped slightly – to £58.6m from £59.3m a year earlier – overseas sales grew by more than 30% to £6.3m (2015: £4.8m).

The company, which was founded by Frederick Duerr in Heywood in 1881, today employs around 240 staff at its two manufacturing sites in Wythenshawe.

As well as supplying national retailers with its famous jam, Duerrs is the country’s largest peanut butter manufacturer and also supplies cereal giant Kellogg’s Trafford Park manufacturing plant with honey for its Crunchy Nut Cornflakes.

The director’s report accompanying the 2015/16 accounts said: “Customer service is critical to the future success of the business and a key driver in growing sales.”

In the year delivery performance, measured by orders completed in full, improved to 99.3% (2015: 99.0%).

Looking to the current financial year, the director’s report signed off in mid-August stated that the general level of activity was expected to increase in 2016/17.

It said: “This is a result of the implementation of a strategic growth plan which targets increased sales and continuous improvement across all aspects of the business.”

Managing director Mark Duerr – a fifth generation family member – told TheBusinessDesk that exchange rate movements following Brexit remain a “significant challenge” this year.

“Our sales are strong but clearly there will be a reduction in margin given the increased costs,” he said.

He added that the company has invested more than £2m in 2016/17.

Duerr said: “We continue to reinvest significantly in new plant and equipment for both the jam and peanut butter sites as well as in new product development and people.”