Bowmans Ingredients refocuses strategy
The UK-based company, which has international operations in Thailand, South Africa and Australia, produces breadcrumbs, batters, marinades and more for the meat sector. With a history in milling dating back as far as 1857, Bowmans branched out into the ingredients market in the early 1990s.
In 2012, the company made a significant investment in a Hertfordshire blending plant to support the growth of its ingredients business. Next month, Bowmans plans to open Europe's first dedicated site for gluten-free coatings.
Innovation
The move away from flour milling is part of the business' programme of innovation and rationalisation. Future supplies of high-specification flour will be available through a new supply chain with strict criteria and quality control. This strategy is already being implemented in its international operations.
"This is a positive move for the company, its customers, suppliers and staff; and will further strengthen our position in the global market," said Rory Bowman, chief executive of Bowmans Ingredients.
"Bowmans has a great track record of sector-leading innovation. We led the move to heat-treated flour, which re-invented the food coatings market and has enabled the company to grow a significant coatings business. The move out of milling enables us to concentrate on those areas that we predict will account for considerable business growth."
Allergy
According to Bowman, there are 21 million allergy sufferers in the UK, with one in 100 people diagnosed with coeliac disease and even more being gluten-intolerant.
"With cases of food allergy continuing to rise, the pressure is on food producers to secure legitimately 'free-from' production," he said.
"Our new gluten-free plant in Bedford delivers a quality of product that can only be achieved in a fully gluten-free environment. It is clear that the ability to produce free-from products is going to deliver considerable commercial advantage in coming years - and Bowmans' structural changes free us to lead the response to these trends."
