Focus on fresh food and skilled teams cook up 2009 success
The tough trading climate of 2009 proved to be an ineffectual barrier to continued success at the UK’s leading independent food service management specialist, WSH, as it reports a 10% trading uplift for 2009, driving its revenues to over £300m.
WSH’s trading brands are led by business and industry caterer, BaxterStorey, which accounts for 70% of total revenues (total £216m). The remaining 30% of income is comprised from operations which include Cater Link which serves state schools and Holroyd Howe independent which caters for the independent education market, BaxterStorey Ireland, Portico a reception management service and Benugo, the deli to restaurant operator (total £88m).
All six WSH businesses enjoyed a positive year with particular success evident at BaxterStorey Ireland which saw its income increase by 122% and Benugo which, since its acquisition by WSH in November 2007, has seen its turnover increase from £13m to £26m at the end of 2009.
Alastair Storey, Chairman and Chief Executive of WSH, said: “2009 was an incredibly challenging year which saw our key business and industry market contract. Despite this BaxterStorey has had another strong year, generating record new business sales of £50m resulting in an £8m increased turnover on 2008. The outstanding performance of sister businesses are absolute evidence of the wisdom of investing across different pockets of the hospitality sectors, ensuring that we are strongly positioned for further growth.”
Storey continued: “The bedrock for our success is rooted in the attention we have paid to what sets us apart – fantastic food and service. The sector needs skilled, motivated teams and we’re committed to delivering this. We’ve continued to invest in training, spending £1.1m last year. Our Chef Academy saw more than 40 Chefs graduate during the year and in 2009 we launched our Barista Academy. 2010 will see a new management training programme take flight. Our focus on sustainable performance has remained vitally important to our customers and our operation. We’ve driven food miles down further, ensured that over 97% of fresh ingredients are sourced locally and during the year we become the first catering operation in the UK to commit to using only British reared fresh meat, acquiring over 1 million tonnes of fresh meat from British farms.
All in all, the business is in good shape and is we’re looking forward to making the most of the opportunities that will arise in the year ahead.”