Member Article

MJ Baker Foodservice records 25 per cent increase in physical orders at annual trade show

Leading independent wholesaler MJ Baker Foodservice has completed record-breaking sales at its annual foodservice trade show for the third consecutive year.

The Newton Abbot-based firm, which runs the biggest foodservice event in the West Country, concluded deals worth more than £650,000 at the event at Newton Abbot Racecourse.

More than 800 foodservice professionals, made up of leading independent food manufacturers from across Devon, Cornwall, Bristol and Somerset, and some of the UK’s leading suppliers, attended the show, which broke the £600,000 sales mark set in 2016.

And the free event was kicked off with the visit of Exeter Chiefs’ Thomas Waldrom and Don Armand. The players were on hand to help MJ Baker Foodservice cut the cake as part of its 18th birthday celebrations.

MJ Baker Foodservice, which is part of buying group Fairway Foodservice, sponsors the professional rugby union side.

The trade show featured 150 exhibitors who displayed their best products in addition to offering unique deals to attendees on the day.

MJ Baker Foodservice sales director Giles Thomas said: “I think the key to success was in the support provided by our suppliers.

“There was a fantastic mix of suppliers taking part – from big household names to fabulous locally-based companies.

“Comments we had from our customers included ‘it gave us the opportunity to introduce new or more competitive products and services’ and ‘there were good deals on the day’.

“We’ve a fantastic range of food producers and manufacturers across the West Country, and it’s wonderful to showcase their products at our event.

“The show was very popular, and we’re looking to further its success next year by increasing our number of exhibitors to 200.”

Neil Folland, director of Devon-based bottled water firm Tarka Springs, said: “The trade show was a brilliant event allowing lots of local businesses in the industry to get together.

“There was a really positive atmosphere throughout the day and we’re looking forward to the forth coming season.”

M.J. Baker Foodservice is the West Country’s leading independent foodservice supplier.

Launched in 1999, the wholesaler supplies businesses and organisations across the West Country, including Somerset County Cricket Club and Exeter Chiefs rugby club.

M.J. Baker Foodservice is a member of Fairway Foodservice, a buying group made up of 19 independent wholesalers from across the UK, Ireland, Jersey, Spanish Costas and Balearic Islands.

For more information visit https://mjbakerfoodservice.co.uk/ or http://www.fairwayfoodservice.com/.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Harris .