The British born Jupiter Group has spent the last twelve months ranking in numerous coveted lists and scooping up awards. On the list of fastest growing companies for international trade in the UK, the group arrived in 17th place in 2018 and has just hit the headlines again at 22nd place on this year’s much admired list. What’s the secret of this relatively young company? Director Yvonne Tweddle talks about the company, and reveals the three ingredients for success: humour, focus and being just a bit different from everyone else.
Yvonne Tweddle presents some grape varieties at Fruit Logistica.
“We were pleasantly surprised to be in the top 25 fastest growing companies in the UK for international trade for two consecutive years. An independent company drew up the ranking, which features companies from all sectors so we’re among some big household names and some particularly inspiring businesses.” Yvonne says.
How do you get to that position? “There’s a focus on export, for which we have different customers and not just British companies,” Yvonne explains. “Besides, we don’t look at the competition, but focus on what we personally can and cannot do. If there’s something we can’t do, we’ll look for a solution. It’s about having the right people in house to focus on making things happen quickly and correctly.”
Flexibility meets demand
From their backgrounds in agriculture, the company was founded by husband and wife duo Mark and Yvonne in 2003 and has developed and expanded from trading into growing as well. The business grows its own grape and citrus in four continents in addition to the network of growers they work closely alongside, in almost all cases as a sole distributor.
“We have an extensive core supply offering to suit customer specifications of all sizes and qualities, so being set to flex even after difficult harvests means we can ensure the best profits for the growers we work with. That’s important to us.”
With a focus on offering flexibility and spec matching for their customers, Jupiter Group is continuing to build strong relationships in the retail market. The majority of their product is sold on the European continent and into the Far East. Yvonne adds “The Far East is a vast market that we see as an economically stable market for produce and we’re enjoying the ever evolving opportunities this is bringing to us.”
Expanding the group internationally
This year, Jupiter also bought a collection of citrus farms in South Africa expanding their own-grown portfolio further. “We want to bring Jupiter South Africa into blossom with any necessary care and investments. We’re taking our time to do things right from the beginning and a new packing line was relatively high on the agenda, amongst other things.”
Over in Greece the group is bringing brand new table grape varieties to market to offer something totally unique. “We’re working with the right people to bridge the gap between breeder and grower, investments are made to increase efficiency and we’ve made the step from reactive to proactive in what we’re spending time on developing.”
Keeping a positive mind-set
“We enjoy what we do and we have a bit of fun along the way,” Yvonne says. An example of this is Mark’s life size cardboard picture, which decorated the stand at the Fruit Logistica. Mark unfortunately had to skip the fair because of a sports injury.
The imminent Brexit is already gathering above the market like a dark cloud. Jupiter’s positive outlook brings Yvonne to say “The impact on our company depends on the result, but for now we don’t know anything. We’re ready for whatever the outcome is, because we’re flexible.”
The company have taken several precautions. For instance, Eastern European workers were hired directly instead of via an agency employment provider. “This way we can offer them more certainty to their life now and hopefully the option of staying in the UK. We will also be holding seminars for our workers to help them understand the decisions made as the effects of Brexit unfold, and we have an employee app so that we can push notify and inform our workers in their own language.”
For more information:
Jupiter Group
Yvonne Tweddle
T: +44 (0) 1952 822200
M: +44 (0) 7887 895996
E: yvonne@jupitermarketingltd.com
W: www.jupitermarketingltd.com