Wolds Produce Ltd

What began in 2004 as a partnership between managing director Simon Tootell and Wolds farmer Simon Foster on the back of a £5,000 grant from Growing Roots, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society Fund, has grown into a £7.5 million turnover company.

Today it employs 12 people and through its network of Yorkshire farmers, supplies more than 40,000 tonnes of spuds to household names including Seabrook Crisps, McCain’s and the Co-op and the firm is seeking the Large Business Of The Year title in The Press Business Awards 2011.

Its big breakthrough came in 2006 when the English Food and Farm Partnership contacted the two Simons because Seabrook Crisps were seeking a Yorkshire supply source.

That key contract was followed by orders from other potato packers, many of whom supply national supermarkets. Chris Cummins then joined as a third director to develop the processing side of the business, overseeing the high standards required by Seabrook which this year seek 18,000 tonnes from Wolds Produce.

Last December the company invested almost £1 million in a 13,000 tonne potato storage shed at Pocklington, generating four more jobs – and another £400,000 is being invested in essential equipment for the 50,000 sq ft storage sheds.

It also now supplies herbicides, pesticides and fungicides to farms by establishing Wolds Agronomy Ltd. In its first year of trading it has achieved £400,000 in sales.