Small Beginnings
Natures Way Foods began in 1994 when brothers Robert and David Langmead started their bagged salad operation. Their big idea was to combine the freshest, locally grown lettuce with the latest food manufacturing technology. Under Robert’s leadership, the company doubled in size during each of its first four years, and within five years, Natures Way Foods was supplying major retailers and Food Service customers including Tesco, Morrisons, Pret à Manger, Pizza Express and McDonalds.
By 1999 Natures Way Foods became the fastest growing food company in the UK, topping the rankings in the Sunday Times Virgin Fastrack 100. First as CEO and subsequently as Chairman, Robert Langmead drove the company to huge success.
Big Business Today
Today, Natures Way Foods is one of the UK’s leading fresh prepared food manufacturers, specialising in the supply of fresh, convenient food including prepared salads, prepared fruit, Food to Go salads, coleslaw and potato salad to major retail and food service companies.
Natures Way Foods employs more than 1,000 full-time staff and operates from three well-invested factories on the south coast capable of producing over 190 million units and handling over 41,000 tonnes of finished product. In recent years the company has been named as one of Britain’s Top Employers by CRF International, for its excellence in HR management, and continues to place strong value on investing in its people.
The Secret To Success
The success of Natures Way Foods is built on long term supplier and customer relationships, focusing on excellence in quality, service, innovation and consumer understanding. Since its inception, Natures Way Foods has been committed to responsible and sustainable growth. The company was the first UK food producer to win the ISO 14001 Environmental Sustainability Award in 2000. It was recently awarded the ISO 50001 International Standard Certification, which recognises best practices in energy management.
Sun Salads Ltd
In 2004, Natures Way Foods invested in Sun Salads Ltd watercress farms. With 5 watercress farms in the UK and 1 in Spain, Sun Salads supplies fresh watercress for retail and wholesale all year round. In 2010 Sun Salads Ltd was awarded the “Cleaner Water” category of the Environment Agency’s Environmental Pioneer Awards.
Leading Fresh Food Manufacturer Under Robert Langmead
In 2016 Natures Way Foods was named the UK’s 21st largest fresh produce supplier in this year’s FPJ ‘Big 50’ Companies listing, climbing three places from last year, continuing the company’s journey from small bagged salad supplier to leading fresh food manufacturer.
Robert Langmead continues his role as Founder and Shareholder of Natures Way Foods, sitting on the Board led by Non-Executive Chairman, David Williams.
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