Essentia Protein Solutions expands UK presence with investment

04 Jan 2018 --- UK-based ingredients specialist Essentia Protein Solutions is expanding its presence in Tipton, West Midlands, consolidating its storage facilities for future growth of the business.

Originally founded in 1969 as a manufacturer of pork scratchings, the company has evolved and since 2015 has been known as Essentia Protein Solutions – a global business operating across all major continents and specializing in the production of meat protein solutions.

As the only specialist protein factory within the group located in the UK, Essentia’s products manufactured in Tipton offer the meat industry real value for money.

Tom Cooke, Essentia’s Regional Director UK & Ireland spoke to FoodIngredientsFirst: “It is impossible to say exactly what effect Brexit will have on the business, but we believe it is important to future-proof in terms of investing within our already successful British manufacturing plant. This gives us the best possible competitive edge going forward.”

“Essentia will be more customer focused in 2018. We are working hard to best deliver the solutions and requirements from our existing customers while exploring and growing newer segments such as the growing nutrition industry.”

This has

FBC Manby Bowdler partner Andrew Wynne (left)
with Essentia’s factory manager Paul Setchell (right).

contributed to the firm’s continued success explained Factory Manager Paul Setchell.

“Brexit continues to cause a lot of volatility in the food manufacturing sector and inflation is impacting heavily. This means our customers look to us to help them deliver sustainable margins without compromising quality.”

“Our success at achieving this has meant continued demand for what we do, and whilst future growth projections are relatively conservative, the standard of our service and products means we’re confident of enjoying on-going growth.”

“The recent expansion of our estate has been based on existing and future need. The two units we’ve acquired on Speed Road cover 1,000 sqm of floor space.”

“This has enabled us to bring finished product storage on site and under our control, which has contributed to increased customer satisfaction.”

“Meanwhile the acquisition of another two units on Ramsay Road – totaling nearly 1,000 sqm of floor space – has been a strategic move to support us in our future growth.”

The two units Essentia has taken on Speed Road needed complete renovation which included removal of all the existing infrastructure, re-cladding of the roof, repainting and the installation of £100,000 of specialist equipment to make the best use of the space.

The decision to remain in Tipton, however, was never in question added Paul.

“While some businesses in need of more space may consider a move to another location, remaining here in Tipton was never in doubt for us. Simply, our skilled workforce and the supply chain on which we rely, make here the right place for us to continue growing the business.”

“We don’t have immediate plans to create any new jobs, but the developments we’ve been through do mean that we’re able to preserve our existing workforce and do more with our existing resources. This makes us a more cost-effective operator and, therefore, more attractive to our customer base.”

Essentia Protein Solutions is doing a lot in terms of branding and repositioning the company. “We have a new focus because we are known for being experts and having our strong points in meat and savory, our animal-based proteins, and we’re refocusing to move into other areas as well,” Asger Jacobsen told FoodIngredientsFirst at last years FiE. You can view the full video interview here.

By Elizabeth Green