Supermarket sweep for Duerr’s

HISTORIC North West food manufacturer F Duerr and Sons has clinched a new deal to supply honey to supermarket giant Tesco.

The company, which is run by fifth-generation family members Mark and Richard Duerr, is experiencing strong sales growth in this area, with honey sales set to quadruple to £8m thanks to a number of contract wins from the major grocers.

Duerr, the UK’s oldest remaining independent family preserves producer, has secured a new listing to supply 800 Tesco stores for its Clear Blossom honey.

Sales of speciality clear honey have remained buoyant despite the recession, and according to research group TNS rose 22% last year.

The Tesco deal is the first major success following a drive by company bosses to expand the company’s product range in the so-called ‘sweet spread’ market sector.

As well as jam and marmalade, Duerr – which was founded in Heywood Lancashire in 1881 – makes peanut butter, mincemeat and condiments such as horseradish and mint sauce.

Sales and marketing director Richard Duerr, said:”Honey has traditionally been quite small for us – £2m out of £36m annual turnover, but as well as the Tesco deal we’ve just picked up a big private label contract with one of the multiples for between £6m and £7m a year so it’s growing.

“The listing with Tesco is the first stage in a wider strategy to expand the range of Duerr’s products available to the consumer.”

Mr Duerr said the introduction of a new basic honey brand called Moss Farm, was proving popular with cash-strapped shoppers, as sales of premium and organic products had slowed down.

Duerr’s employs around 200 people at sites in Wythenshawe and Old Trafford in Manchester.