Manderley Food Group sales strong despite COVID-19 issues
Sales for the group came to £207.1m with an operating profit of £2.19m for the year ended 27 June 2020, slightly down from the £207.8m and £2.3m reported last year respectively. Despite operating within seven geographical markets, the group attributed the largest proportion of its sales to the UK market.
Manderley noted that the crisps and snacks sector continued to be challenging with significant competition in the retail sector and continued pressure on consumers.
This was further impacted by the recent COVID-19 pandemic, which had led to changing demand on consumers. However, despite these challenges, the group reported limited impact on labour supply.
Logistics and operational challenges
A statement from the company said: “In the face of increased logistical and operational challenges at the start of the pandemic the business tested its supply chain resilience and has been able to ensure continued supply of raw materials for its manufacturing facilities and maintain deliveries to customers as required.
“The foodservice sector has been particularly challenged by the COVID pandemic, with disruption to business for most foodservice customers during this period. The group continues to monitor the risk in this sector while servicing increased demand in other sectors.”
Confident for the future
Manderley noted that it sourced a number of key raw materials from outside the UK and also had customers within the EU, so the UK’s exit from the single market had implications for supply.
“The UK is still at the very early stage of working under the post Brexit arrangements and there are logistic issues which the group is working to resolve including supplies to and from Ireland,” said Manderley.
“The Group Brexit working group will continue to meet to bring any outstanding issues to a successful conclusion.”
Meanwhile, Tesco boosted support for its suppliers during the COVID-19 pandemic, outlining a string of measures across a year as it reported an increase in sales in its full-year 2020/21 financial results.
