Back in the 1940's potatoes were in short supply and yet they were a staple part of the British people's diet.
The post - Second World War years meant a frugal existence and rationing for a nation recovering from total devastation.
In the Cambridgeshire Fens one man saw an opportunity to market farmers' fresh produce to this hungry and receptive population.
Russell Burgess Ltd. was formed in 1946 to market potatoes and fresh produce grown on farms in the Fens.
The eponymous Russell - an innovator with foresight and vision - was the company's largest shareholder and energetic motivator. Not only had he identified a major gap in the marketplace, he also proved to be the precursor of modern marketing techniques in the fresh produce supply chain.
As the nation found its feet and grew so too did our company. In April 2000, Russell Burgess Potato merged with Sutton Bridge Limited to form Solanum Ltd: Sutton Bridge was part of the Potato Marketing Board before being acquired in the mid-1990's by new shareholders. Like Russell Burgess they too had a wealth of experience in the world of potatoes.
The merger of both organisations allowed the new Solanum to enjoy immediate economies of scale as well as become considerably more customer-focused, and to allow greater investment in research and development.
Today Solanum is recognised as a leading UK supplier of top quality potatoes to blue chip retail multiples and major food processing companies.
Latest News
Open Farm Sunday - 1 June 2008
This years event has been described by LEAF as “the best yet!”. Over 400 farmers across the country opened up and early reports indicate that nearly 150,000 members of the public visited a local farm on 1st June. A full report will be issued by LEAF later in the year…but in the meantime here is our very own Produce World report. As proud sponsors of the 2008 Open Farm Sunday event I would like to share with everyone the day’s successes, and give a great BIG thank you to everyone who took part…THANK YOU!.
Produce World acquires Marshalls and Agromark
Produce World Ltd, currently growing and marketing organic and conventional fresh produce, has acquired Marshalls Holdings Ltd, a group of companies that includes Marshall Bros (Butterwick) Ltd and a 76% holding in Agromark SA, in a deal agreed and completed last night.
