Hames Chocolates among key businesses set for the World Confectionery Conference
Carol and Andrew Oldbury of Hames Chocolates. Pic: Neill Barston
The UK’s Hames Chocolates is among companies set to attend this year’s World Confectionery Conference in Brussels. Editor Neill Barston goes behind the scenes at the company ahead of the event
Driving through the remote, twisting roads of East Lincolnshire, it’s immediately apparent that there’s a sense its big horizons and distinctive, flat agricultural landscape holds plenty of intrigue and a notable history.
Indeed, Its connections with the food and drink sector are significant, with the region famed for its hearty fare including Poacher cheese, succulent sausages and a unique plumb bread to name but several examples of its fine culinary delicacies.
Indeed, it’s a fruit that takes centre stage according to local legend in being behind one of Britain’s greatest scientific discoveries, courtesy of certain Sir Isaac Newton.
Back in 1666, so the story goes, he is said to have developed his theory of gravity from being struck on the head by a falling apple in his mother’s garden at Woolsthorpe Manor, which caused him consider the laws of relativity.
Fast forward over 350 years, just over 50 miles to the East of that famed site on Lincolnshire’s rugged coast, Skegness has witnessed the appliance of a very different kind of confectionery science at Hames Chocolates.
For nearly two decades, the business has been making premium lines, existing somewhat under the radar as a quality private label manufacturer supplying the sector right around the UK. Its customer base spans major retail names, hotels, as well as the tourism industry, of which its seaside location remains forever linked with.
As the business proudly notes, “if it’s chocolate, you can be sure we make it!” offering varieties including filled options, bespoke offerings, vegan friendly lines, as well as its own striking series of own-brand bars.
From the warm welcome I receive from Carol and Andrew Oldbury, the husband and wife team leading the business, there’’s little doubting their passion for the cause of creating some highly distinctive product ranges.
“This is a nice industry to be in. I suppose if we were selling shower curtains I might not be quite as excited. But with chocolate and confectionery, it’s fascinating to see what everyone else is doing,” enthuses Carol of the family business that is continued to thrive despite ongoing background challenges with skyrocketing cocoa prices that are proving problematic for the company.
Determined attitude
But as the couple asserts, having a strong work ethic and never resting on their laurels continues to prove instrumental in their success.
Notably, as we’ve previously covered, continuing to conjure up new chocolate creations remains among its priorities, which now extends into the firm stepping further into the public limelight with its own brand products in addition to its considerable private label confectionery work.
“We’re family business that started out from when my mum and dad had a restaurant in the 1970s, and the shop came up for let and took that, and because we’re by the seaside, they decided they would put rock candy in there.
“The first year, rock sales went really well in the first year, but with it being made by hand, there was only so much that could be made in a day, everyone wants to top up in the summer – and he decided to make it during the winter, but it all went soft, so we turned to a manufacturer to help us.
But when they eventually went out of business, myself and some of those who had been working for the other company decided to start a candy factory with them, Rainbow Candies which we started up in Blackpool Lancashire. We make fudges, toffees and rock,”adds Carol, of the company, which has recently invested notable in its sustainability capabilities with new solar powered panels.
As she explains on one of the big summer stories of the UK confectionery scene – the emergence of high volumes of Chinese manufactured rock in seaside towns such as Blackpool is an interesting point in question.
“I can see how manufacturers may have been upset, but I do think we have to be competitive in our own right. I support British manufacturing, but it is everyone’s right to buy products from where they want to, so we just have to be as good quality as we can,” she says in taking a positive stance on the topic.
As she notes, rock production is a skill that is very much part of Blackpool’s heritage, and notes that the super sweet favourite almost certainly tastes better fresh, as against being transported long overseas distances.
Growing the business
From its early origins within rock production, Carol recounts that the couple were relatively quick to embrace the potential for web-based sales, eventually expanding out into chocolate, which prompted them to establish a manufacturing base in their hometown of Skegness.
Notably, while she acknowledges there were plenty of tests along the road in growing the company from its initial roots, there appear to be exciting times ahead for its small, yet dedicated team.
“My dad once said to me – ‘how do you make a small fortune in chocolate – you start out with a big one! I think that’s the same for any business, as it takes a significant amount of investment and constant re-investment, which is the same for us today. Anything we make does get re-invested, and we have planning permission to change our offices here in Skegness, and we also have plans for a further warehouse,” she says with pride, underlining the company’s sense of ambition.
As we tour through its production halls, observing several lines of different chocolate projects being prepared for customers, there’s a sense that meeting the bespoke demands of individual customers is at the core of the business’s operating model.
Today, the company produces everything from chocolate bombes, hot chocolate stir-in ranges and choc lollipops, through to bars and seasonal Easter products that requires plenty of skill and acquired knowledge to juggle effectively.
“Like every industry, it’s nothing like it used to be. It’s dynamic and goes through changes, so you change with it,” she says with a sense of purpose on its manufacturing operations.
Furthermore, as she explains, one of its most important aspects is ensuring sustainable sourcing, utilizing Rainforest Alliance and Cocoa Horizons purchasing that are placing a strong emphasis on farmer pay, training and human rights within core supply chains.
As she explains, the business pays a premium for its cocoa based products, which it believes is vital to secure the future of the industry. This extends to the use of recyclable foil and cardboard in its packaging.
“Manufacturing chocolate in an ethical and sustainable way is hugely important us, which is why we have made the move to install solar panels. This is the latest step in our commitment to the environment, which also includes working closely with organisations such as the Rainforest Alliance (ra.org) and Cocoa Horizons (cocoahorizons.org), to make sure our cocoa is supplied from ethical and more sustainable resources.”
Overall, taking a positive and engaging standpoint on events across the industry and always striving to improve its offering is a philosophy that is serving Hames extremely well.
