Family firm bites into the Australian meat market
Gilbert’s Foods supplies the UK’s wholesale, foodservice and retail sectors with pasteurised meat products designed for reheating in the microwave, oven, or via boil in the bag, grill or rotisserie. The aim is to provide the caterer with the safest and most efficient manner in which to serve meat.
The pasteurisation process is designed to remove the risk of the product being undercooked and thus reduces any risk associated with food safety.
In 2012, the manufacturer increased its sales from £6M to £10M.
Its new company will be called Gilbert’s Foods Australia and will be based in Brisbane, Queensland.
Managed by Andrew Smith, brother of UK md Peter Smith, the Australian arm of the firm will source, import and export high quality meat products.
Sales target of £10M
Gilbert’s Foods md Peter Smith said: “This is a very exciting time for Gilbert’s Foods as we have officially launched the Australian division, smashed through our ambitious sales target of £10M and our growth plans for the next 12 months look very positive.
“The Australian office will enable us to break into the retail, foodservice and wholesale markets over there and we have already secured some lucrative contracts.
“At the moment, our focus is on finished pork and lamb products but, as the business develops, we will be increasing our offering, with the aim of becoming a well-respected, quality meat supplier in the Australian market.”
The company has also increased its storage facility by investing in a 5,000m2 site in Lancashire, enabling an additional 300 pallets to be stored to facilitate larger orders.
Acquisition opportunities
It is also looking at further international growth and considering several acquisition opportunities.
Smith said: “Sales are almost equally divided between wholesale, foodservice and retail and, while the UK is still a key market for us, we see Europe as an area of growth.
“Our new facility will allow us to increase capacity and output and we are keen to talk to companies looking for new meat product suppliers. We are also looking to grow the team in Lancashire, to further strengthen our customer service and to support business development.
“We are in a period of strong growth and all these developments put us in a good position to take the business forward to become a major player in the UK and international food industry.”
