Over the past 12 months, SHS Group has benefitted from top-line growth across the various divisions.
Founded in 1975, SHS Group has evolved from a family-run sales and marketing company into a privately owned multinational operation with a turnover of around £665m.
Our success is a testament to our sustained investment in our brands, our expertise across various categories and channels, our manufacturing assets, and most importantly, our people. These core elements are embodied in our new mission statement: ‘Great People Growing Great Brands.’
What products are within the company portfolio?
SHS Group operates primarily in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector across the UK, Ireland and internationally.
We own a number of brands including WKD, Shloer, bottlegreen, Merrydown Cider, Meridian nut butters, Rocks squash drinks, Crucial Sauces, Zip & Sunny Jim firelighters and Maguire & Paterson matches. We distribute a portfolio of over 100 brands, such as Highland Spring, Pot Noodle, Finish, Mars Drinks, Tunnocks, and Colgate in various trade channels.
The Group is also a market leader in the supply of own-label herbs and spices in Great Britain and manufactures a range of branded and private-label condiments and sauces.
Which products are performing particularly well?
Our focus on brand innovation has been well received by consumers. In our Drinks Division, we
successfully launched bottlegreen ready-to-drink (RTD) cans, in partnership with Edwards 1902 Premium English Vodka, featuring a trio of refreshing and exciting 5% ABV Vodka Spritz cans.
bottlegreen celebrated another outstanding year at the Great Taste Awards, while Rocks was awarded two stars for two flavours. Innovation is a fundamental driver of growth for the business.
Our collaboration with key customers in our own-label business is also yielding positive results. Leveraging customer data and insights helps us create products that resonate with consumers.
The formation of a new food division is a strategic move to drive further growth opportunities and innovation, while our sales and marketing division continued to offer a fantastic, outsourced solution for many group and external brand owners.
What changes have there been in the marketplace?
We have been navigating various societal and market challenges, from supply chain disruptions to inflationary pressures, labour shortages and political instability.
We have developed many solutions to address political and economic uncertainties in the UK and other international markets, ensuring a steady supply of materials and sales. However, these solutions require constant vigilance and attention from our teams. In addition sustainability is key and we work towards our net zero commitments as part of our responsible business strategy.
Agility and curiosity are important qualities our teams must possess as we plan for changing market trends.
Which areas have been strongest over the last year?
Our top-line growth has been driven by innovation, new business, brand investment and increased sales in core grocery and convenience channels. We have prioritised value-for-money solutions from brands and private-label products, working closely with our business partners to develop innovative responses to consumer needs.
We actively encourage our teams to look for alternative solutions and innovate to deliver continuous improvements across the business and are also seeing the benefits of engaging our talented teams in taking on new tasks and responsibilities, advancing their career development with us.
What does the year ahead have in store for the company?
We continue to invest in our brands, systems and supply chain. Our business remains robust, and we have outlined key priority areas in our business strategy: ‘Growing Great Brands’, ‘Delivering Excellence’, ‘Securing our Futures’ and ‘Winning with Teams’.
Over the next three years, we will focus on driving sustainable growth, fostering innovation, developing our talent and delivering on our responsible business commitments, and as we look to the future, our primary focus will be on reinforcing the security and stability of our business operations while actively exploring avenues for sustainable growth and expansion.
Our skilled workforce is relentless in their pursuit of excellence, consistently delivering for our customers, consumers and Brand Owners. They continually support each other and embody our ‘SPIRIT’ values in everything they do.
