The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Sweet success for popcorn producer
A Fife firm has secured a sweet deal to supply pre-filled popcorn tubs to 235 Asda stores.
Kirkcaldy-based Sephra Europe sealed the deal with the supermarket following the success of its self-service popcorn machines installed in 57 stores two years ago.
The firm, which employs 13 people in its base at Michelston Industrial Estate, continues to supply packaging and popcorn to Asda for the machines alongside its new pre-filled cardboard tubs.
Managing director David Archer said the deal had allowed the company to move into packaging.
He said: “Over one million tubs of popcorn have been sold through our self-service machines in Asda since they were installed in 2016.
“Increasingly, however, stores were having a member of staff pre-fill tubs for sale. That led to the idea of a pre-filled cinema-style popcorn tub that shoppers could buy directly from the shelves and online.
“That business will now see us supply in excess of one million pre-filled tubs per year.
“To fulfil the new order, we’re purchasing regular container volumes of paper tubs from our partner factory in China.”
The firm, which has been supported in its growth journey by Business Gateway, now produces annual revenues in excess of £4.3 million.
Mr Archer said: “Right from the start Business Gateway Fife has connected me to people and funding streams that have helped me build the business into what it is today, in particular supporting my successful application for an East of Scotland Investment Fund loan which provided me with working capital to buy out my business partner in 2014.
“Most recently my adviser helped Sephra become account managed by Scottish Enterprise.
“This is already opening doors, and with its support I believe we will be able to hit a projected £7.5m turnover by year-end 2019.”
Business Gateway Fife adviser Brian Blackburn said: “Over the past four years we have helped David grow his business through long-term business relationship management.”