Metcalfe's Food Company facts for kids
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| Private | |
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Headquarters | London, England |
| Products | Snack foods |
Metcalfe's Food Company was a business that made and sold snacks. It was started in 2010 by two people: Julian Metcalfe, who also created the sandwich shop Pret A Manger, and Robert Jakobi. This company sold its snacks under two main names: Metcalfe's Skinny and itsu grocery.
The company grew very quickly. Between 2011 and 2014, its sales more than doubled each year. By December 2014, Metcalfe's Food Company was known as the fastest-growing private food and drink company in the United Kingdom.
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Who Led the Company?
Robert Jakobi was a co-owner and the Managing Director of Metcalfe's Food Company. He played a very important part in how the business grew and changed. Before this, Robert worked in banking.
In 2010, he brought chocolate-covered edamame beans to the UK. He first sold them under his own brand called 'Pod bites' in fancy stores. Robert believed these snacks could be very popular. He wanted to sell them to more people. After meeting Julian Metcalfe, they decided to combine 'Pod bites' with Metcalfe's Food Company. Robert then became the Managing Director in October 2010. The chocolate-covered edamame are still a popular snack in the itsu grocery range today.
The Company Splits Up
In May 2015, Metcalfe's Food Company announced a big change. They decided to split their two snack brands into separate businesses. The itsu grocery brand became a main part of the Itsu business. Meanwhile, Metcalfes Skinny became its own independent company.
Metcalfe's Skinny's New Owners
In January 2016, a company called Diamond Foods bought a small part of Metcalfe’s Skinny. This investment helped Metcalfe's Skinny to grow even more in the UK and across Europe.
Later that year, in September 2016, another company called Snyder's-Lance, Inc. bought the rest of Metcalfe's Skinny. Snyder's-Lance, Inc. also owned Kettle Foods.
Awards and Recognition
Metcalfe's Food Company received several awards for its fast growth and success:
- In December 2013, the company was listed as one of the "Ones to Watch" in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100. This list ranks the fastest-growing private companies in the UK.
- In April 2014, Robert Jakobi and Julian Metcalfe were finalists for the 2014 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. This award is a very respected business honor given in many countries worldwide.
- In May 2014, Metcalfe's Food Company won a Santander Breakthrough 50 Award. These awards celebrate the UK's top 50 exciting fast-growing companies.
- In December 2014, Metcalfe's Food Company was ranked number 4 on the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 list.
