The chief executive of UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), the Government’s international trade support body, has visited Thatchers HQ to get a taste of the cider makers’ impressive growth over recent years – much of it due to exporting.
In his first visit to the West Country, Dominic Jermey saw at first hand the way Thatchers combines traditional cider production with modern innovative at its Sandford base near Weston-super-Mare.
This has enabled the firm to take its cider to markets across the world – from Russia to the US and Australia.
Martin Thatcher, managing director and fourth generation cider maker, showed Mr Jermey around the company’s Myrtle Farm, discussing the company’s latest plans for investment.
Mr Jermey was keen to hear at first-hand how advice and support from UKTI had helped the company in its global export initiatives.
Thatchers Cider produces 50m litres of cider a year. UKTI provided assistance to Thatchers in the development and implementation of its global export strategy back in 2012, consequently appointing distributors in Scandinavia, Spain and Russia, as well as a developing major partnership with Coopers Brewery in Australia. Thatchers has also recently launched in the US.
Starting in the orchards at Myrtle Farm, Martin explained to Mr Jermey how continued investment over the last 25 years has led to Thatchers now operating a highly innovative, unique orcharding system designed to protect the quality of the fruit during harvesting. Combined with research and development of new apple varieties, this focus and investment in orcharding will enable future generations of cider makers at Myrtle Farm to continue producing ciders that meet the changing demands of consumers both at home and abroad. This year the company will be planting upwards of 100,000 new apple trees in and around Sandford.
The UKTI party went on to see Thatchers’ multi-million pound investment in its Jubilee Building, where its state of the art kegging facility sees 454 kegs filled in an hour. The Somerset cider maker has plans to further invest significantly in its storage and packaging capabilities.
Traditional expertise is however, equally important to Thatchers, and the UKTI party was shown the company’s giant oak vats, which are around 150 years old, and give its ciders their distinctive character during the maturation process.
Martin Thatcher said: “We are delighted to have the encouragement of Dominic and his team in building our sales overseas. We have made a great start in our export, but we know the opportunities are enormous. With the reputation of English heritage Cider spreading rapidly across the world, it is an exciting time to be part of the cider industry. We are very pleased that he was able to visit us today here in the heart of the Somerset countryside.”
Speaking after his visit, Dominic Jermey said: “By working with companies like Thatchers, we want to inspire other South West companies to grow their international customer base. Expert advice and support on selling overseas is available UK Trade & Investment to all companies to start them on the path to exporting success.”
Accompanying Dominic Jermey on the visit was Jason Carter, Deputy Regional Director, UKTI South West, and Andrew Fraser, International Trade Adviser in the South West.
Pictured, from left: UKTI chief Dominic Jermey with Martin Thatcher
