Sephra reports strong annual performance across machinery and ingredients
Sephra has reported strong annual sales in the UK and US. Pic: Sephra
The Sephra confectionery and dessert sector manufacturer has reported strong annual performance, as it seeks to further expand its international operations, writes Neill Barston.
The business, which has become renowned for tis chocolate fountains, has also engaged the industry with a wide range of machinery for waffles, crepes, popcorn and ice cream.
In addition, the Fife-based company has also expanded into ingredients production for the sector, and its global business has noted a sustained period of improved sales.
According to the company, it has reported 77% growth in the UK in the past two years, and 79% for the same period for its US office in Throop, Pennsylvania, paving the way for an encouraging start to 2026.
As the company noted, with cocoa prices still historically high, the business, which has 38 employees between both locations, continues to counteract Brexit in the European market, despite challenges facing US businesses with the continuation of tariffs.
The company is now Involved in the manufacture & distribution of dessert-making, patisserie, and bakery equipment, ingredients, and confectionery for the foodservice and retail industries in over 70 countries.
It also operates a wholesale distribution business, CFW.co.uk. It distributes over 1,200 products, including other brands such as Callebaut, Dawn Foods, Vanova, Nutella, Lotus, Krampouz, Gold Medal, Nestle & Cadbury. Additionally, it sells products directly via its own websites and Amazon to consumers keen on baking and creating desserts & chocolates.
Another strong performing area of the business has been its popcorn interests, is now the U.K.’s fastest growing and most popular popcorn tub, is found in major retailers, including Asda and Morrisons.
This business has also had a strong finish to the year, with a new retailer, Scotmid Cooperative, recently added to the list of stockists. Sephra Popcorn is now available in over 100 Scotmid Cooperative Stores in Scotland.
Improved fortunes
Managing Director, David Archer welcomed the company’s continued strong performance.
He said: “We are pleased to be experiencing sustained growth across Sephra on both sides of the Atlantic, and to be finishing strongly for 2025. The global rising cocoa prices have been tough on the entire industry.”
“A new product we’ve introduced this year to counteract these increases is our new “50/50” Compound/Couverture Chocolate blend, a budget-friendly option that helps businesses manage costs without a significant drop in quality. Originally developed by us for a leading UK customer who wanted to protect their clientele from menu price rises, they were delighted with this new blend, finding it gave quality results. We saw the potential to widen this out as a new product in our portfolio that other customers could
take advantage of. It’s been so popular we’re now going to launch it into the USA market as well.”
David went on to say that over in the States, Sephra wanted to achieve similar growth and success as it had seen in the UK market through its partnership with Callebaut Chocolate, one of the industry’s leading luxury brands.
“As a major player in the distribution market with Callebaut, we decided to bring that strength to the US, offering affordable Callebaut chocolate prices, so that we could reduce our US customers’ costs as much as possible,” he said, not that a decision in the autumn to offer a special promotion for the brand in the region proved a winning strategy as the business continues to offer a broad mix across the confectionery spectrum.
Speaking on the impact of the US tariffs, David added: “Sometimes all you can do is react to things beyond your control, such as tariffs and global commodity markets. However, if you are to do so, it’s important that we react quickly with level heads and avoid panicking. We work as a team in Sephra, taking the perspective of all stakeholders in the business to ensure we make good decisions. We’re also going to continue to develop innovative solutions as we have been doing, and as much as possible, reduce pricing through positive negotiations with our supply chain, and by maximising purchase power.”
