Freshtime is Ripe for Growth Says New MD

News release

29th October 2013

Use download link for high-res photo

Former Florette Chief Executive Mark Newton has set out ambitious plans for growth after taking over as Managing Director of the highly successful snack salad and vegetable specialist Freshtime UK.

Mark has left the Florette Group after 13 years to take charge of the Lincolnshire-based food to go salad and vegetable specialist which he says is ripe for growth.

“Freshtime is a business I’ve known and kept my eye on for many years. Our product range and our production capabilities are bang on trend – we specialise in fresh, convenience food and snacking products," he said.

“One of my main goals is to help it develop from a fantastic operation into a world-class business.”

Freshtime was initially set up as part of a growers’ co-operative but now supplies chilled, value added, ready-to-eat salads, snacks, prepared vegetables and sandwich fillers to leading multiple retailers and food service operators.

Mark Newton’s first objective will be to exploit the untapped potential he identifies within the firm.

“What we do, and have been doing for some time, is right at the heart of current trends: street food, fresh produce and food on the go,” he said.

“Freshtime is a successful, growing business and because of our size we’ve also got the flexibility to innovate. Many of the larger corporates talk about innovation but in reality it takes them a year to get a product from initial concept to market.

“Because we’re smaller, more nimble, we can innovate much more quickly and respond to market trends.”

Mark foresees expansion and growth and has no doubt that new jobs will be created at Freshtime’s site in Boston.

“This is a great time for me to have got on board and everyone here is up to the challenge of taking this business forward,” he said.

“We have a fantastic team here but the door is open to new people to come on board and help us to grow. We will be developing the workforce, creating jobs in a new structure and continuing to invest in the site itself.”

Mark Newton was Commercial Director, then Managing Director of Soléco UK Ltd – part of Groupe Florette – between 2000 and 2011 and was Chief Executive of Florette SAS from 2011 to 2013.

Notes to editors: 

• Freshtime UK Ltd is a leading supplier of chilled, value added, ready-to-eat salads, snacks, prepared vegetables and sandwich fillers to leading multiple retailers and food service operators. 
• Based in Boston, Lincolnshire, in the UK’s fresh produce heartland, the company employs 350 people.
• Freshtime was created in 1993 by  farmer co-operative ELGRO (East Lincolnshire Growers), and in 2000 there was a management led buy-out.
• In recent years more than £14 million has been invested in Freshtime’s purpose-built 82,500 square feet site to develop the firm’s production capabilities.
• Freshtime produces over 170 different product lines, from stir fry vegetables to couscous and pasta salads, deli fillers, soups and dips.
• Freshtime was included in The Grocer’s Fast 50 list of growing food businesses in November 2012 and 2013.
• Freshtime has recently had products nominated and winning in the food to go categories of the Q Awards and The Grocer awards, and has won customer supplier of the year award for a major multiple retailer.
• For more information visit www.freshtime.co.uk

Jez Ashberry
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
jez@shootingstar-pr.co.uk
www.shootingstar-pr.co.uk
t: @jezashberry

Tags: