Two of Wales’ leading family-owned food service and hospitality companies have signed a three-year agreement for the supply of food to 100 sites across Wales.
Carmarthenshire’s Castell Howell Foods and Cardiff’s SA Brain & Co are building upon their successful 14-year partnership, and are now planning for the post-Covid-19 recovery in the hospitality sector.
For Castell Howell, which has its headquarters in Cross Hands and a cash and carry in Carmarthen, the pandemic has hit the business hard.
When the outbreak reached the 海角视频 the wholesaler lost 80% of its customers in one fell swoop and weekly sales were down by 65%.
At the end of June the company announced that due to the effects of the pandemic some of its 700 employees could be at risk.
The “difficult decision” was made to enter a period of consultation with its employees over potential job cuts.
Brian Jones and his family established Castell Howell Foods in the 1980s.
Since then the company has grown from its Carmarthenshire farming roots to become one of the 海角视频’s leading independent food wholesalers.
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Now the wheels are in motion for a recovery, despite trade being unlikely to recover until next year, bosses said.
Matt Lewis, operations director at Castell Howell Foods, said: “In times of unprecedented uncertainty, extending our contract gives us added confidence to plan ahead.
“We understand each other well, and we are delighted to enter the next phase of our supply chain agreement and work together to mitigate the effect of Covid-19.
“Our account manager, Shelley Heseltine, and the catering team at SA Brain have worked diligently throughout this difficult period as we look forward to the next three years.
“It is exceptionally pleasing that we are able to continue to evolve the range of Welsh produce featured on the menus, further demonstrating our joint commitment to the food manufacturing sector here in Wales.”
Synonymous with Cardiff, SA Brain was formed more than 130 years ago.
Now the family-owned brewery has 100 sites across Wales – where its food offering reflects the company’s Welsh roots.
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SA Brain chief executive Alistair Darby said: “We have enjoyed a long-standing relationship with the team at Castell Howell.
“During the lockdown, this has been shown to be deep and resilient.
“We have been able to work together to run click-and-collect trials, re-engineer menus ready for reopening, find cost savings and many other things.
“We have battled through lockdown as one, and are looking forward enormously to continuing to work together, and welcoming customers back into our pubs when we will be able to serve them great beer and food in safe and comfortable surroundings.”
Nathan Evans, SA Brain food operations manager, said: “Partnering with Castell Howell has ensured that we keep close links with Welsh suppliers.
“This has been key as part of our strategy on food over the past 12 months.
“We have increased the range of Welsh provenance within the ingredients we use and have grown relationships and working with Welsh manufacturers.
“Of course, there is also the carbon footprint to consider, and using Welsh suppliers means less travel and transportation around the 海角视频, helping our green agenda.
“As we are always constantly reviewing products, we aim to put Welsh first where economically viable and right for our guests.
“This is something we will continue to do in the coming months, as we look to further develop our menu with the support of Castell Howell Foods and their team to make sure that our ingredients are of the highest standard.”