SHELF TALK
Tubby Tom’s expands production capacity to meet huge demand By Tom Dale
Midlands hot sauce and spice mix producer Tubby Tom’s is expanding into new premises to keep up with the increase in demand the brand has seen since the effects of coronavirus hit the UK in 2020. The Great Taste-winning company is doubling its manufacturing space by moving into a new unit two doors down from its current base in Gloucester, while owner Tom Hughes said the current production unit will be transformed into a test and show kitchen for NPD and social media cooking demos. The brand has seen exponential growth since last year, owing to the popularity of the Shop Local movement and huge growth in online direct-to-consumer sales. “It’s been difficult to keep up with demand because we just didn’t predict that the sauces
would take off like this – surprised would be the wrong word, but we’ve been really happy with the numbers of people who support us,” said Hughes. All of Tubby Tom’s sauces and spice mixes are cooked, blended and filled by hand. “We roast all our own spices, cook all our sauces, and even fill the bottles by hand using a funnel,” said Hughes. “We’re investing in some new machinery in the move to make the whole process more efficient.” To help keep up with the increase in demand, Hughes is also doubling his staff by taking on four new full-time staff members over the coming year, but despite the growth, he is committed to keeping the handmade touch to the operation. “We make everything by hand, and we love the way we do things – sauce just tastes better when you make it like that. Mass-produced stuff just never tastes as good.” The founder said that it is for this reason that he isn’t interested in being stocked in supermarkets. “It makes things a numbers game,” he said. “When you start making deals with the big supermarkets there’s a lot of risk, and I don’t want to play that game, I’d rather just make really good sauces with nice ingredients, employ good people and push it that way.” As well as the expansion, the brand is set to release three new lines to its already large range – Carolina Mustard BBQ sauce, Taco Seasoning and Burnt Peach & Bourbon Glaze. tubbytoms.com
Eco Green Living is launching a new pointof-sale unit aimed at increasing awareness of eco-friendly products and providing a one-stop solution for retailers to provide consumers with ecoalternatives to everyday items. The point-of-sale unit is fully stocked with premium alternatives to plastic products that are 100% compostable. The products are made using a resin from the stalk of sweetcorn, and thistle made from GMO crops. All products are third-party certified compostable. The unit contains the following Biobag products: food and freezer bags, caddy liners, dog waste bags, bin liners, wheelie bin liners, eco cling film and eco tin foil. ecogreenliving.co.uk
WHAT’S NEW Boxer Gin – from the Sustainable Spirit Co. – has created a pre-mixed version of the classic Negroni cocktail. Export strength Boxer Gin is blended with Negroni Antica Distilleria amaro and red Torino vermouth with a dash of red mandarin bitters to make the pre-mixed drink, which is sold in a unique blue glass bottle and has an RRP of £29.95 boxergin.com Bristol-based Wild and Game has launched its new Huntsman 1lb Pie – a cold chicken, pheasant & pork pie with a wild boar herby stuffing and a traditional hot water crust pastry casing. It is the brand’s take on the more familiar pork pie and has an RRP of £7.99. wildandgame.co.uk Nairn’s has added to its range of gluten-free cereals with Oats Your Way. Available in two varieties – Apple & Cinnamon and Blueberry – the product is a combination of fruit pieces with Nairn’s wholegrain oats. It is available in 375g packs with an RRP of £2.79. nairns-oatcakes.com
New plant-based dips brand hopes to Do Goodly A new producer of plant-based foods has launched its debut range of dips aimed at the growing market of health-conscious consumers and is set to donate a portion of all profits to a mental health charity. True to its name, Do Goodly’s founders Richard Abbey and Scott Davis have said the company will donate 10% of its earnings to Mind. Michelin-trained chef Davis created the four-strong range of vegan dips – Mighty Beetroot Borani, Smashed Pea Guacamole, Superstar Salsa and Tasty Tomato & Bean Houmous – after the pair spotted a gap in the market for purely plant-based dips that cater directly for health-conscious consumers. Abbey said: “Scott and I aimed to create a range of food that looks and tastes wonderful and is good for you. “We’re also proud to be supporting Mind, especially during lockdown when so many people are experiencing pressures such as loneliness, worry and financial uncertainty. We aim to expand our range over the coming year, introducing more fresh, original and healthy products designed by Scott.”
The co-founder also said that the brand is a perfect match for independent retail, being a unique, premium product. He said the lines are currently listed with Castell Howell & Blas Ar Fwyd, but that they are happy to deal directly with independent retailers. The dips come in trade packs of six with an RRP of £2.50.
dogoodlydips.com
Vol.22 Issue 4 | May 2021
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