Westaways Sausages has outlined ambitious plans to quadruple its business within the next four years.

The Devon-based company, which currently has a turnover of £3m, says growth will come through new product development as well as expansion in new and existing markets.

Westaways supplies 750 multiple, convenience and independent stores across the south west, and retailers in Europe and beyond.

While expanding its presence in foodservice is seen as key to the company's growth, turnover is also expected to be boosted by the launch of a number of new retail products, said marketing director Charles Baughan.

One such innovation will be the roll-out of Westaways' County Range of specialist sausages to retailers.

The rationale behind the range, which is available to the foodservice sector, is to combine premium pork sausage with complementary local ingredients and tap further into the popularity of south west food.

The range includes pork sausages with Cornish blue cheese, Cornish Tribute ale or South Devon chilli.

In an attempt to boost its environmental credentials and make itself even more attractive to retailers, Westaways has also pledged to remove all plastic packaging from the business within the next 18 months.

The move follows the successful launch last month of an eco-friendly pack tray derived from a natural material normally used for cattle feed, backed by an outer sleeve designed to emphasise West Country provenance. The company's vision is for consumers to compost the packaging on their own compost heaps.

In the four weeks since the revamped packs were launched, sales of Westaways sausages at Spar and Londis in the West Country have risen 50%, Baughan claimed.

Although there was a cost involved and accreditations could be harder to achieve, it was worth it to reduce the company's environmental impact and meet demand, he added.


Topics