Our Journey to Profitability and Plant-Based Leadership: A Milestone for Framptons

We’re excited to share some fantastic news – our company has returned to profitability, less than 18 months after a pivotal investment from Swedish investment firm, Profura. This turnaround has not only strengthened our position as a key player in the plant-based drinks market, but it has also reaffirmed our commitment to sustainability and supporting British farming.

A Transformative Partnership with Profura

In November 2023, Profura acquired Framptons Group Holdings Limited, giving us the strategic support and financial backing we needed to refocus and streamline our business. With their guidance, we simplified our operations and concentrated  on our strengths, allowing us to achieve a pre-tax profit for the 10 months ending in April 2024.

Reflecting on the journey, our Managing Director Andy Rimell says, “The business was over-complicated and needed a complete refocus and strategy. We were very close to closing the gates, but our partnership with Profura has empowered us to rebuild with a renewed focus on plant-based products.”

Embracing a Plant-Based Future

As part of our strategic shift, we’ve fully embraced a plant-based future. Oat drinks are now at the core of our business, and in July 2024, we launched our own brand—The Wessex Oat Company. This range of high-quality, British-farmed oat beverages represents our dedication to offering sustainable and locally sourced products.

Co-packing remains a crucial part of our business model. In 2024 alone, our co-packing services generated around £29 million in revenue, focusing predominantly on plant-based drinks. We also provide co-packing for other categories, such as dairy, spring water, coconut, soya and pea drinks. Moving forward, we are strategically refining our offerings, phasing out some loss-making categories like juice, to focus on what we do best.

Streamlining and Refining Our Business Model

We made a bold decision to sell our egg business to Griffiths Family Foods for £3 million in December 2023. Originally established as an egg wholesaler, Framptons recognised that the growing plant-based sector offered greater opportunities for growth. By divesting our liquid and frozen egg operations, we can concentrate our efforts on the thriving market for plant-based alternatives.

While this was a big step, it was a necessary one to keep our business aligned with future growth opportunities. We’re working closely with Griffiths Family Foods to ensure a seamless transition for all our customers.

Investing in the Future of Oat Beverages

Looking ahead, we’re committed to expanding our capacity for oat extraction and production. With new technology and a high-specification processing plant, we plan to triple our oat extraction capacity from 50 million litres to 150 million litres per year over the next two years. All our oats are sourced from the Wessex region, ensuring our products are not only high-quality but also fully traceable and sustainable.

Our partnership with Profura will be instrumental as we aim for even more ambitious targets: producing 200 million litres per year in the medium term, with a long-term vision of reaching 400 million litres per year. We’re committed to becoming the UK’s leading supplier of plant-based beverages, offering a range of options to meet growing consumer demand.

Our Vision for the Future

At Framptons, we’re passionate about supporting British farmers and promoting sustainable practices. We’re proud to source our oats from the Wessex region and combine them with our advanced processing capabilities to deliver top-quality oat drinks. Our goal is to be the go-to partner for retailers, foodservice operators, and co-pack clients alike, offering a comprehensive range of plant-based products, including oat, coconut, pea, and soya blends.

As Andy puts it, “Our focus on British oats, along with our advanced packaging capabilities and sustainable practices, positions us uniquely in the market. We’re excited about the future and committed to driving further growth and innovation in the plant-based sector.”

Moving Forward Together

Our journey of transformation has been challenging, but it has also been rewarding. With a clear strategy, strong partnerships, and a focus on quality and sustainability, Framptons is well-positioned to lead the UK plant-based drinks industry.

Thank you for being part of our story. We look forward to continuing this journey together, bringing you the best of British farming and sustainable innovation, one sip at a time.