Our Business
Overview
Lincolnshire Herbs is the largest UK specialist potted herb supplier, focusing only on producing top quality potted herbs and nothing else. We supply ASDA, The Co-Operative Food, and Morrisons, as well as local specialist food and farm shops with potted herbs all year round. We are part of the Swedish based group Swedeponic, the largest producer of potted herbs in Europe with sites in Sweden, Poland, Portugal and Belgium as well as the UK. Each site supplies its own local market as we belive this is crucial for freshness and environmental reasons. So our herbs are grown in the UK for the UK.
Established
Lincolnshire Herbs (formerly Swedeponic UK) was established in 1998, on a 3 acre green-field site just outside the market town of Bourne. ASDA was our first customer in 1998 followed by Morrisons in 2001. We have since gone from strength to strength. In 2007 we doubled in size. In 2009 Lincolnshire Herbs purchased and gained planning permission for a further 6 acres of production area, expanding our site to 12 acres in total.
Location
Based in the East Midlands, Lincolnshire Herbs is close to the central hub of fresh produce in the UK; Spalding. This means we can service retailer's depots extremely efficiently making use of the local consolidation networks.
Staff
We currently employ over 50 staff. Our core management team have been working for the business for over 8 years and some have been with us since we began. This level of experience ensures we can confidently deliver top quality herbs all year round.
Range
Our best selling herbs are Basil, Coriander, and Parsley-in that order. Whilst Coriander is a very minor herb in the rest of Europe, the UK’s link to India and our love of Asian cooking has made Coriander the UK’s second best selling herb. Increasing in popularity are Flat Leaf Parsley, Mint and Chives. Thyme and Sage are useful winter additions to the range.
Pot sizes
Lincolnshire Herbs can offer an extensive choice of pot sizes and specifications. We are currently supplying 8cm square pots at a standard and premium specification, as well as large square pot. We can also supply medium pots either to a standard or premium specification. In 2009 we commissioned an extensive piece of research which examined which pot size UK shoppers actually prefer. This research is available to all current and potential customers. We also now supply a range called Good Natured in biodegradable packaging. Click on the Good Natured button to find out more.
Future Plans
Lincolnshire Herbs aim to continue to do what we do best, focusing on growing and supplying top quality British potted herbs all year round. We are also trialling interesting new varieties. We have plans for expansion and have space to develop the business when required.
Reducing our energy consumption is a cornerstone of our environmental policy and we have an exciting project on LED lighting currently underway. We are also planning the installation of geothermal heating in the nursery for 2011/2012 which should reduce our gas usage by 75%.
