FINE FOOD NEWS
RH AMAR • Famous For Fine Foods All bets are off
Autumn 2014
RH Amar lands another No.1 As RH Amar says cheerio to Cirio at the end of 2014, we are very pleased to announce that we will be distributing Mutti tomato products from January 2015. Mutti – like RH Amar – is a family-owned business. It was founded in 1899 and is now run by Mr Francesco Mutti, the fourth generation of the family. Dedicated only to high quality tomato products, the brand commands a value market share of 49.7% for tomato purée and 34% for chopped tomatoes in Italy1. It is also the market leader in France, Austria, Sweden and Belgium. “I’m delighted to be joining forces with Mutti,” said managing director, Rob Amar. “I could not think of a better partner to maintain our presence in the canned tomatoes category. With our heritage in Mediterranean foods, it is a delight to be adding another Italian brand leader to our portfolio.”
Henry Amar, chairman, writes: The American screen comedian, W.C. Fields, was asked to define the expression “horse sense”. He replied that it was something horses have that stops them betting on people. That definition appeals to me because I am absolutely not a betting man. When I was very young, I put a few pennies on a horse, won five shillings, and decided to quit whilst I was ahead. I did not make Tommy Cooper’s mistake of putting money on a horse at twenty to one, and finding that it came in at ten past four. At a trade dinner last Christmas, guests were invited to record their forecast on various topics which would affect our industry in 2014 – the value of the £ at the end of the year, the brand shares of major retailers, which prominent chief executive would be first to lose his or her job, and so forth. Had I bet on any of these issues, I would have been wrong. In 2014 ours has been an industry in turmoil, and forecasting what will happen in 2015 will be unusually difficult.
Mr Mutti added: “We have been looking to enter the UK market in a serious way, but up to this point have not found the right partner. We are delighted to be working with RH Amar.” IRI Italy - July 2014
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Provena promises glutenfree goodness RH Amar is delighted to announce the launch of Provena, a range of gluten-free products owned by Raisio, the €500m euros Finland-based company behind brands such as Benecol and Fox’s Glacier Mints. The Provena gluten-free range consists of three hot cereal products (Jumbo Oats 500g, Raspberry Instant Oatmeal 40g and Apricot Instant Oatmeal 40g), three flours (Wholegrain Oat Flour 400g, Flour Mix with Oats 450g and Oat Bread Mix 450g) and – for the indulgent – the irresistible Chocolate Chip Muffin Mix 300g. Free-from is proving to be one of the most exciting categories in grocery at the moment. The gluten-free category was worth £385m in 20131 – and industry experts predict growth of 24% up to 20172. It is not just sufferers of conditions such as coeliac disease who are fuelling growth. More than half the UK population is now buying free-from products, either as part of a healthy lifestyle or due to intolerance within their household. To the benefit of all consumers, Provena prides itself on a commitment to purity and security – their products come with a 100% gluten-free guarantee. Oats are cultivated, produced and packed in segregation from any other cereals, a unique process that sets Provena apart from other gluten-free offerings. Kantar world food panel
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Mintel
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Fine Food News Autumn 2014 (continued from P1)
All bets are off As it happens, 2015 will be the 70th anniversary of RH Amar, and for sure we shall hear a few champagne corks popping to celebrate that landmark event. However, it also looks like being an immensely challenging year as we seek effective responses in a fast changing industry. To succeed in 2015, we shall need innovation, speed of reaction, and lots of oldfashioned hard work – but we should never forget the RH Amar mantra that we are “famous for fine food”. A Nielsen report just published suggests that one clear winner in the current climate is quality food, and we shall be bringing lots of excellent products to market in our anniversary year. So maybe 2015 won’t be so difficult after all …. but I still won’t bet on it.
Olive oil prices forecast to rise Estimates for Spanish olive oil production are forecast to be down this year following severe droughts. Total olive oil production for 2013-2014 was 1,761,100 tonnes, whilst output this year is estimated at 1,199,660 tonnes. This represents a decrease of nearly 32%. While there is some 500,000 tonnes carryover from last year’s harvest, the situation in Spain remains tense as the drought continues in the south. As a consequence, Spanish farmers are keeping hold of their stocks to inflate prices beyond the 20% already experienced since July.
PRODUC Gaea’s contemporary new look Gaea has unveiled a contemporary and innovative look for its brand with a new logo, labels and packaging. The regional and single estate oil ranges incorporate two 500ml packaging options. The full range is available in embossed dark glass bottles with an integrated pouring spout – seemingly a first in the UK oils category. The range is also available in strikingly elegant 500ml cylindrical tins with a built-in pouring lip to minimise drips. The clean elegance of the packaging is to appeal to younger shoppers and their growing interest in modern Greek cuisine, while the re-worked logo still pays homage to tradition with an image of Gaea, the Greek Goddess of the Earth. Gaea’s popular liquid-free olive snacking pouches have new packaging too. They feature tantalising close-up imagery of the ingredients on the front, with a silver metallic finish. Jars of Kalamata Olives and Stuffed Olives also sport a cool new elegance.
Kühne brings cheer to UK Oktoberfests Kühne – the No.1 gherkin brand in Germany – has given its backing to major UK city Oktoberfests for the second consecutive year. Oktoberfest is a long-established festival in the German Bavarian calendar, focussing on German beer, food and music. UK celebrations were larger than ever this year. In addition to London, Edinburgh and Glasgow, events took place in three additional cities – Manchester, Birmingham and Aberdeen. Kühne supplied samples to all six locations, including its hugely popular range of Gherkins – a Great Taste Award winner – as well as Sauerkraut and Pickled Red Cabbage. Peter Maretzki, export director at Kühne, said: “Live events offer a highly effective sampling mechanism to draw in a wider public with a genuine interest in German food.”
CT NEWS
Fine Food News Autumn 2014
Triple triumph for RH Amar Three products from RH Amar’s portfolio have achieved Gold Star status in the 2014 Great Taste Awards organised by the Guild of Fine Food. Cooks&Co Roasted Red Peppers picked up two stars, with judges praising “a very clear, honest product” that boasted “a great meaty texture and a very appealing roasted flavour”.
A family affair Rob Amar, managing director, writes:
Another winner from the Cooks&Co range – awarded one star – was the 100% Pure Rapeseed Oil. A combination of the “beautiful golden colour”, “lovely grassy notes” and a “full nutty flavour” meant it was a hit among the judges. Ortalli’s Apple Balsamic Condiment also earned two stars. The tasting panel considered it “a wonderful kitchen condiment to enhance salads or to use in marinades”, owing much to its “sweet apple flavour and delicate aroma”. More than 400 judges tasted 10,000 products over a period of 50 days in search of epicurean excellence – and it is good to know they found it in our products!.
Good old Geeta’s!
Wing Yip is just one of the 20 familyowned and run suppliers we work with, not to mention the numerous service providers and customers we work with which are also family businesses.
At RH Amar, we know that Geeta’s Mango Chutney is head and shoulders above the competition. And now the product has been given the ultimate (and totally unprompted) seal of approval by none other than one of the UK’s most popular and loved chefs, Jamie Oliver. Jamie Oliver © Karl Gabor, via Wikimedia Commons.
The Naked Chef enthused: “Geeta’s Premium Mango Chutney! I don’t know who Geeta is, but she’s a good old girl. That’s the one we have in our house – because it’s got no onions in. Jools [Oliver’s wife] doesn’t like onions.” Founder Geeta Samtani remarked: “I’m thrilled to receive such a ringing endorsement from culinary luminary Jamie Oliver. I’m a long-time fan of his, and am thoroughly flattered that he shows such passion for my original Premium Mango chutney made to my very old family recipe.”
Some 18 years ago, RH Amar started working with Oriental specialist Wing Yip. Folklore has it that agreement to work together was reached just minutes into the initial meeting. Mr Wing Yip, visiting RH Amar’s offices in High Wycombe for the first time, said: “You’ve got your name above the door, I’ve got my name above the door – we can do business!”
Geeta Samtani
During an interview with columnist Caitlin Moran in an August edition of The Times Magazine, Jamie noted one condiment with particular approval.
We place a lot of importance on being a family business. But what is it that makes this important? For me, it comes down to two key elements. Firstly, the values we hold and share with so many of our suppliers. And secondly, controlling our direction and being able to take a longer-term view than many nonfamily businesses. Business is about people, and when these two factors combine, it helps create successful partnerships that stand the test of time. So it is a great pleasure that two of the most recent additions to our portfolio – Italian brand leaders Monini and Mutti – are also family businesses, and third and fourth generation respectively, no less! The other new addition to our brand portfolio has a family connection of a different kind. Provena is part of Raisio group, one of biggest and most respected food companies in Finland, my wife’s homeland. Having spent some 50 weeks of my life there, I have long held a desire to work with a Finnish brand, and that wish has finally come true.
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RANGE EXTENSIONS
Fine Food News Autumn 2014
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Cooks&Co extends antipasti range Cooks&Co has added Pepperoncini Chilli Peppers and Semi-Dried Tomatoes to its popular antipasti range. It is now the fastest growing antipasti brand, with sales up by an impressive 15.5% year on year1. The new Pepperoncini Chilli Peppers are medium hot chillies with a crunchy texture, vibrant colour and a sweet and sour flavour. Available in 280g glass jars, they are set to tap into the increasing UK appetite to try new food types and hotter flavours2. The Semi-Dried Tomatoes are available in 295g jars. They are oven-dried and contain lower salt levels and no additives to make them a healthier alternative to many other sundried tomato products. The soft, succulent texture and intense, sweet flavour is the result of the oven-drying process followed by an infusion in an extra virgin olive oil blend with garlic and herbs. IRI MAT to 21.06.14
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Mintel Oxygen’s January 2014 World Cuisines Report
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Gaea unveils new premium Greek olive oils To tie in with its major brand redesign, Gaea has targeted the premium end of the market by extending its range of regional extra virgin olive oils and estate oils. In addition to the existing Kalamata and Sitia regional oils, Gaea has unveiled the Sparta Extra Virgin Olive Oil, made with Koroneiki and Athionelia olives to produce a balanced and harmonious fresh flavour. Regional oils are sourced from designated regions in Greece, known for the quality of their olives. All have a low acidity level, making them ideal for all types of cooking. They carry an RSP of £5.49 for 500ml. Gaea’s new estate oils are Kritsa Extra Virgin Olive Oil, produced on the island of Crete and boasting a well-balanced and fresh taste, and Vranas Extra Virgin Olive Oil, a delicately fruity product made on the island of Lesvos. They have an RSP of £7.99 for 500ml. Estate oils are produced exclusively from the harvest of single estates, using state of the art mills and cold pressing to ensure the highest quality. These oils are pressed on site so the olives are in the best possible condition.
COMPANY NEWS Helping feed Britain’s future
People news
For the second year running, RH Amar has supported Feeding Britain’s Future, a campaign run by food and drink industry charity, IGD, with the aim of tackling youth unemployment. In September, a group of young job-seekers from High Wycombe attended special CV and interview clinics led by RH Amar’s commercial director John Heynen, and John Lilleystone, the HR and IT director. The youngsters also toured the company’s 84,000 sq. ft. warehouses, before enjoying a behind-the-scenes and shop floor tour of the Asda High Wycombe Superstore – and they weren’t slow to spot many of the brands RH Amar distributes on the shelves! John Lilleystone said: “Feeding Britain’s Future has also been a unique chance for us to tell young people how our great industry of food and drink employs 3.6 million people in the UK, equivalent to one in every seven workers, and to show them the kind of opportunities that we have to offer.”
Congratulations to Emma Reynolds and Lesley Parker on their recent promotions, Emma to customer service supervisor, and Lesley to senior brand manager. Lisa Ryan joined the Logistics team as demand planner in August. She spent the previous eight years at Tesco, working in a number of different roles within their supply chain team. Dawn Bragan joined in September as area account manager for the North and Scotland. Previously she worked for 12 years as account manager for Molson Coors Brewing Company looking after a diverse range of on-trade accounts. In October, Stuart Barr joined as customer service coordinator, after working for 10 years in a similar role for sports goods company, Under Armour.
Turnpike Way, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP12 3TF, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1494 530200 Fax: +44 (0) 1494 472076 Email: info@rhamar.com Website: www.rhamar.com