London – St Pierre Groupe, which recently rebranded from Carrs Foods1 the international branded bakery business has won the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade. Scooping the UK’s highest accolade for business success in export, St Pierre Groupe takes home the prize for its growth in overseas sales over the past three years; increasing annual international sales by 159% as a result of significant US growth2.
Manchester based St Pierre Groupe is one of the best kept secrets in the bakery sector, yet hugely successful. Both at home and abroad. With its branded portfolio spanning St Pierre, Baker Street and Paul Hollywood ranges. St Pierre is now the fastest growing bakery brand in the US.3.
Founders Jeremy Gilboy and Paul Baker completed a management buy out of Carrs Foods in 2004.
Ten years later, they hired a blood red V8 muscle car, loaded the back seat with St Pierre products and roared across the States. Introducing the company’s high-quality St Pierre brand to the US, they dropped in on unsuspecting retailers – some of which remain loyal customers to this very day.
Increasing international sales to 51% of revenue, this dynamic duo has already increased turnover to £69m in 2018. With over 150 bakery products selling in the UK, its export range now has over 85 products, listed in over 35,000 stores worldwide. With 60% of its volume in the US, St Pierre Groupe’s turnover is forecast to nearly double in the next three years, aiming to reach £150 million by 2022.
Aiming to continually develop the St Pierre brand in the US market, the Jeremy / Paul twosome are the driving force behind the entire Groupe globally. Propelling the evolution of St Pierre Groupe from an importer of private label cake and morning goods, to an international branded bakery business, St Pierre Groupe now supplies customers across the UK, US and Europe. Driving
Maintaining its positive company culture and supportive family feel, the business of 34 staff are focused on developing the portfolio and team; harnessing its high-level motivation and enthusiasm, with a particular focus on furthering international expansion.
“We offer tasty European flavours with British flair and the US loves it,” says Paul Baker, Founder, St Pierre Groupe. “We are continuing to grow in the US and are expanding our distribution platform, so we hope to see even more success. America – get your taste buds ready”.
Previously achieving a Top 10 place in the Sunday Times International Track 200 for the third successive year, St Pierre Groupe was listed in 8th place in the 2019 list.
1 Rebranded in March 2019
2 2017 – 2018 growth based on St Pierre Groupe international sales
3 Nielsen February 2019
4 As of 28 February 2019
