TAYPACK Limited in Perthshire is set to become one of the largest potato packing operations in the UK – thanks to a deal with QV Foods Limited – which will create over 100 jobs and safeguard hundreds of others in the Scottish potato growing sector.
QV Foods, which is based in East Anglia, has acquired the potato packing arm of Inchture-based Taypack, the facilities of which have benefited from £20million investment, making it one of the most modern grading and packing facilities in Europe.
The deal will provide QV Foods with a Scottish base from which it can service its Scottish and UK wide retail, food service and wholesale accounts.
This will significantly increase its potato growing network in the UK.
Taypack currently grows 800 acres of potatoes and buys from a dedicated network of growers on 4000 acres of additional land within a 50-mile radius of the factory premises.
Taypack will continue growing, sourcing and procuring potatoes to supply the Inchture packing facility, as well as other processing facilities, and will also benefit from increased distribution opportunities in the South arising from the new venture with QV Foods.
The opportunity to develop new business on the Taypack site is welcomed by the directors of both companies.
QV Foods director, Simon Martin, said: “For QV this is an excellent opportunity to establish a base in the heart of one of the best potato growing areas of Scotland.
“The support of the enlarged team and additional facilities will enable QV Scotland to continue to provide an excellent service to customers of both businesses.
“We look forward to working with our extended Scottish supply base and new customers to enhance our service delivery and create new opportunities together.
“This is a win-win deal. Following our acquisition of MBM Potatoes last year, this represents a significant piece in the British potato supply jigsaw for our company and is a major step forward in establishing QV Foods as the leading supplier of British potatoes to all sectors of the UK market.”
The collaboration between the two fourth-generation family owned firms is expected to see total potato volumes of around half a million tonnes processed next year, creating 100 new jobs in the area and important opportunities for Taypack’s dedicated grower network.
Taypack chief executive, George Taylor, explained: “Thanks to QV Foods, we will now have the opportunity to increase our grower network and acreage and assist our farmers by offering outlets for their entire crop, which is one of the many advantages of being involved with a company that has such a well established portfolio and wide diversity of accounts.”
Welcoming the news, he added: “This is a great fit between two companies who have a shared ethos and common aims. This is good news for our loyal members of staff, our Scottish potato growers and the future of Taypack Limited and we look forward to our continued association with such a progressive company.”
Ends
Issued by Jen Nash on behalf of Taypack Limited. For more information on Taypack please contact Panache Communications on m. 07971 466 220 e. jen@panachecommunications.co.uk or visit www.taypack.com.
For information on QV Foods please contact Merv Edgecombe at Standfirst UK on
m. 0783 212 40626 or e. merv@standfirst.co.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Taylor family have been farming in Perthshire since 1927. George Taylor is the fourth generation to continue the farming traditions of the Taylor family.
George Taylor and his family have established a successful portfolio of companies which includes Taypack Limited, Taylors Transport, and Taylors Regional Foods (TRF). TRF was formed in 2006 and comprises hubs in Dundee, Exeter and Swansea which represent an unrivalled showcase of regional and provincial food from around Britain which they source and distribute to supermarkets, symbol group, wholesalers and grocery retailers.
In 2008, they entered into collaboration with Scottish ice cream maker, Mackie’s, to launch Scotland’s first home grown crisps. The joint venture company is expecting to double crisp sales to £2million over the next year.
The Taylor food group of companies employ over 100 people and reported a turnover last year of £10million across the group.
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Contact: Jen Nash
Phone: 07971 466 220
Email: jen@panachecommunications.co.uk
Website: http://www.panachecommunications.co.uk
