BaxterStorey parent company WSH sees double digit growth
Westbury Street Holdings (WSH), the UK's largest independent contract catering firm, saw its turnover grow 12% for the six months of 2012, it revealed in its half year results today.
The parent company to BaxterStorey, Benugo, Holroyd Howe, Caterlink and Portico said it has achieved a record number of new contract wins, worth around £70m in annual turnover.
The strong performance despite the ongoing tough economic climate has resulted in the recruitment of 500 new members of staff.
BaxterStorey, which is currently catering for around 20,000 journalists and broadcasters at the London Olympic Park's media centre, continues to be the biggest brand in the WSH portfolio.
Its turnover in England and Ireland grew by 5% and 15% respectively, but growth was strongest in Scotland, which saw a lift of 26%. Notable contract wins include RBS Group, British American Tobacco and Scottish Power.
The two education businesses also posted buoyant growth figures. Caterlink, the group's state education specialist, saw year-on-year growth of 11%, while independent school caterer Holroyd Howe saw turnover leap 40% on the same period last year.
Benugo, WSH's deli and public venues operation, increased its turnover by 31% with the help of a number of new clients, including the British Museum. It also picked up a contract alongside BaxterStorey with RBS Group and has just opened a new flagship operation in Waterloo Station. Benugo founder Ben Warner was named food service caterer of the year at the 2012 Cateys.
Alastair Storey, chief executive of WSH, commented: "Given the current economic challenges, we are delighted to see such growth in our business and we will continue to concentrate on our core beliefs of delivering great customer service and food made from the freshest, locally sourced ingredients.
"The economy is likely to be fragile for some time and with this comes challenges in our market place, but we are encouraged by the strength of our current pipeline."
BaxterStorey parent company Westbury Street Holdings sees trade top £400m >>
By Janie Manzoori-Stamford
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