Whitehead launches ingredients firm

Zubrance Group, an ingredients firm serving processors, has been launched by Rob Whitehead, former md of Matthews Foods, a supplier of fats, spreads and margarines to retailers and manufacturers.

Yorkshire-based Zubrance has an estimated annual turnover of £22M and comprises three wholly owned subsidiaries. They are: New Ivory, sweet and savoury sauces manufacturer; Food Design, which makes sweet inclusions for cakes, biscuits, chocolate and desserts; and Quality Kernels, nuts, dried fruit and seeds. Customers include Marks & Spencer, Asda, Cadbury, Premier Foods, Nando’s and Green & Blacks.
Whitehead said he aimed to grow the group by acquiring other specialist food ingredients suppliers. “While market conditions are undoubtedly tough, we know that agile and responsive manufacturers are well placed to weather the storm. Consumers are more inclined to eat in and will spend a little more on a well deserved treat.
“We’ll be building Zubrance over the coming years to tap into this opportunity by helping our customers to develop food products which satisfy the requirement of the consumer and ultimately their businesses.
“We are looking for smallish, preferably local, businesses. We’re based in the M62 corridor and I have issues with building businesses away from the core area, so I’m looking at a 200 sqm radius around Harrogate.”
He said he saw a lot of potential in functional, naturally wholesome, snack and convenience channels and would target ingredients firms supplying customers in these areas for acquisition.
In tough times, consumers also turned to indulgent treats and traditional favourites they were familiar with as comfort foods, said Whitehead. “In recessions, people eat more of what makes them feel better and when they tighten their belts they go for traditional things. In sauces, for example, things that work are more traditional, such as peppercorn sauce.”
Hybrid healthy products with an indulgent twist, such as cereal bars containing fudge or toffee, would also do well, he said.
Whitehead oversaw the disposal of Matthews Foods to Kerry Foods in 2005.