Steven Humphrey, managing director of Tuber Group, which procures a wide range of fresh and frozen produce for food processors and food service businesses worldwide, said: “We believe we are best placed to drive the company’s continued development, taking it to the next level and adding significant value to the UK frozen food sectors with the benefit of our global procurement capabilities, as well as our plans for exporting added value cooked British potatoes products globally. “
He revealed an “ambitious vision” for Saxon Quality Foods including using its vast potato and sweet potato knowledge, to explore some innovative NPD in relation to potato specific varieties.
Global eating trends
“We plan to bring global eating trends to the UK frozen market for retailers’ own label brands, along with our own exciting brands within the Tuber Group. We will also build on existing customer relationships by offering more SKUs of potato and sweet potato products and further grow our presence in the frozen coated potato market,” he said.
He revealed plans to the double the current turnover within three years and added that “after achieving this, we will have established a sizeable operation that will be buying in excess of 250 tonnes of fresh potatoes and 150 tonnes of sweet potatoes every week.”
Tuber Group was founded in 2017 by Humphrey to supply potatoes to food processors and packers in the UK. It The group operates in the UK, Spain, Egypt, Asia, USA and Africa. It supplies over 30 different fresh and frozen food commodities at any one time, ranging from its own brand ‘Chefs Best’ mayonnaise to potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions and citrus.
Added Value
Abbeydale Food Group acquired Country Chef in 2011 and renamed it Saxon Foods. It has developed from a B2B business serving food manufacturers into a major provider of added value frozen vegetables, supplying most of the UK’s leading supermarkets and wholesalers as well as the food service market. Its products are also sold into continental Europe. The company’s range of allergen free frozen products includes jacket potatoes, mint and chilli peas, mushy pea pots, potato skins, healthy baked chips, and curry sauce pots. Saxon Foods is based in Scunthorpe and employs an 80-strong team.
Andrew Hayes, managing director of Abbeydale Food Group, added: “After being part of Abbeydale for the last 10 years, we believe that Tuber Group is a natural home for Saxon, enabling the business to gain from the group’s purchasing benefits. The new owner also has some exciting plans to build on Saxon’s success and take it to the next stage in its development.”
