Middlesex Wheat & Gluten Free Food Specialist For Sale

Business description

This business was established in 1994 although the owner has been involved in the industry since 1969 with an interest in Coeliac Disease, which at the time affected hundreds of people, unlike the hundreds of thousand it affects today. After years of research and running a small mail order business, supplying gluten free food from their home, they set up a dedicated gluten free bakery, manufacturing bread, rolls, cakes and cookies; supplying the majority of Europe and closer to home and all the pharmacies and hospitals nationwide.

Introducing a brand of dedicated gluten and wheat free foods to the retail market, this was the first company to present a range of free from foods to the UK grocery trade in 1999; thus launching what is known today as the Free From sector. Their range of dedicated gluten and wheat free foods has over 60 products all exclusively manufactured and complying with the international standard of containing less than 20ppm of gluten. This standard is in line with the Coeliac society and Codex committee to the World Health Organization, bringing security to consumers of special diet foods.

They have now added a range of gluten free pasta, cookies, three varieties of Crackers, a range of breads, rolls and baguettes, (which are perfect for hamburgers or as an accompaniment to any meal).

They always endeavour to produce the best products for their customers, whenever their particular dietary requirements insist on a controlled and strictly monitored variety of natural ingredients. The range of gluten and wheat free foods is constantly growing, with more new and existing additions.

Since 1994 they have been manufacturing a wide range of foods suitable for Gluten and Wheat free diets, to the high standards using only the finest ingredients and have over 50 products, which are available from all leading health food stores, pharmacies, selected supermarkets and through their on line web shop, delivered direct to home or office.

They currently have 26 products on prescription and supply health food stores, Pharmacies and selected Supermarkets, as well as mail order and online ordering facility. They supply to the global market place, with same day despatch of most items. For anybody wishing to access these lucrative and varied markets, this is an exceptional opportunity to purchase a business that is already well established and yet still has numerous growth potential.

Customer Service:

The business manages many clients in any normal week and has the systems, processes and people to ensure that both service quality and customers’ needs are satisfied. The most important aspect of customer management and satisfaction considered by the business is quality, which they believe is responsible for the business retaining customers and its reputation which has led to the acquisition of many new customers. High quality service, with flexibility, honesty, reliability and good value, every customer request is important and customers always come first. The result is self evident in the business’s sustained level of repeat business.

Key Strengths:

With regulatory changes currently happening with NICE and the FSA, which will all work in the favour of this company, their prescription and pharmaceutical business is undoubtedly a major strength of this business, with 26 items currently on prescription and more items constantly being developed. The name and own brand products also play a key role in the strength of this business and will continue to do so into the foreseeable future. There is also a second brand to the company offering 13 products available on prescription supplying Pharmacies and Hospitals with Low Protein Foods for specific protein deficiency diets and renal failure and the export market supplying over 20 companies worldwide including 1 private label customer for over 9 years. Their export trade is valued at 25% of their market.

Financial profile:

The business is being offered for sale on a going concern basis, all financial discussions will take place directly between the vendor and all interested parties under the auspices of Turner Butler.

Current turnover is circa £1,500,000 per annum and is a cash positive business.

Property information

Property:

Leasehold

Location:

The business is located in North Middlesex and is easily accessible. They have a five year renewable lease in operation that expires in 2013 and consists of a total of approximately 7,500 sq ft of warehouse and office space with parking, on a light industrial park close to the M1, M25 and North Circular Road.

Business Operation

Expansion potential:

This is without doubt a growing market place and will continue to be so well into the future with people becoming ever more aware of what the eat and of more and more people becoming more intolerant to various types of food produced.

Competition / Market:

The business has used almost no advertising in the past and there are excellent opportunities to increase this and market the business more aggressively to significantly increase turnover. A high proportion of the business's revenue has been due to its excellent reputation for quality and service and strong word of mouth recommendation.

Reasons for selling:

The owner is looking to take retirement.

Trading hours:

The hours that are required to run the business are variable during the course of the year. The business is easy to run and for many parts of the year the time commitment is minimal.

Employees:

The business uses cleaners on a self-employed basis.

Years established:

1994

Other information

Support & training:

All necessary training and a full handover are available to ensure continuity of trading.