901% growth for Vegware, Scotland’s 3rd fastest-growing firm in Deloitte Fast 50 Awards

Photography available here

Edinburgh, 13^th November 2013

Vegware has been named Scotland’s 3rd fastest-growing company in the Deloitte Fast 50 Awards, achieving 901% turnover growth in five years, and coming 29^th in the UK-wide tech-sector ranking. Vegware’s UK team has expanded from 2 in 2009 to the current 34, with sales on target for another 60% growth this year. The Edinburgh SME is now the only completely compostable packaging firm operating globally, manufacturing and distributing eco catering disposables which can be recycled with food waste. Operations now span five continents.

Vegware’s business success story is illustrated in a short film made as UK National Champion in the European Business Awards, where the firm is currently seeking votes to represent the UK as Europe’s National Public Champion.

MD and founder Joe Frankel said: “Vegware is not niche. 901% growth in five years proves that our eco food packaging is a practical solution for sustainability in mainstream business. Also that green business can drive economic growth. Recognition in the Deloitte Fast 50 and European Business Awards shows the Vegware Group is realising our big ambition of creating the world’s foremost brand of environmental foodservice packaging.”

It all started with a spoon. Working in California in 2005, founder Joe Frankel admired a bioplastic spoon his wife had been given at the farmers’ market. “She told me it was made of corn and potato starch. I thought that was the most wonderful thing I had ever heard. It sparked a whole train of ideas within me, and the Vegware concept was born.” Back in Edinburgh, he set up Vegware in 2006, then with business partner Dominic Marjoram.

Run from its Edinburgh HQ, Vegware is now a global brand with operations in the UK, US, South Africa, Australasia and now UAE, with a Europe-wide network of distribution partners from Iceland to Portugal. UK clients range from the biggest contract caterers and food distributors through to government offices, NHS units and independent artisan cafes and delis.

From the three cutlery items offered five years ago, Vegware’s range has grown to over 200 completely compostable products, including many award-winning packaging innovations resulting from the firm’s active R&D programme. All Vegware’s catering disposables are made from recycled and sustainably sourced eco materials and are completely compostable – so unlike most foodservice packaging, Vegware can be simply recycled after use. Vegware’s non-profit initiative The Food Waste Network is a free service matchmaking any UK business with local food waste collections and promoting zero waste.

These latest achievements add to a fantastic year for Vegware, who have won over a dozen awards so far in 2013. Highlights include the top prize in the Scottish Green Awards and the FSB UK Streamline Awards, and the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1.  Vegware has won over 30 awards and accolades since 2009, including two Scottish Parliamentary Motions – full list here.

2.  The Deloitte Fast 50 is one of the UK’s foremost technology awards programmes. Now in its sixteenth year, is an acknowledgement of the 50 fastest-growing technology companies in the UK. The ranking is based on revenue growth over the last five years.

3.  The European Business Awards is Europe’s largest, most prestigious and exciting business awards programme, celebrating Europe’s brightest businesses. The independent awards programme is designed to recognise excellence, best practice and innovation in the European business community, in line with aims of the European Union and business representative groups across Europe. The 1^st phase of public voting closes at 17:00 on Thursday 2^nd January 2014.  Vegware’s video entry can be found here.

4.  Vegware’s zero waste initiative The Food Waste Network is mapping all UK trade food waste collections by postcode, and offers a free matchmaking service for any UK business seeking food waste recycling. www.foodwastenetwork.org.uk

5.  The Vegware Community Fund gives small monthly grants to 13 non-profit sustainability projects, with a new recipient being added every quarter as Vegware grows – info here.

About Vegware:

Vegware Ltd is the UK’s first and only completely compostable food packaging company. The multiple award-winning firm specialises in the development, manufacture and distribution of compostable packaging for foodservice. Vegware’s Food Waste Network matchmakes any UK business with local food waste recycling services. Vegware invests in product development and has brought many compostable innovations to market, including hot cup lids, double wall cups, high-heat cutlery and soup containers.

Clients range from the UK’s biggest contract caterers and food distributors through to UK government offices, NHS units and independent artisan delis and cafes. Vegware was founded in 2006 and the global operations are coordinated from its HQ in Edinburgh, UK. The firm’s eco products are available worldwide through Vegware US, Vegware South Africa, Vegware Europe, Vegware Australia, now Horeca in UAE, Friendlypak in New Zealand as well as a Europe-wide network of distribution partners from Iceland to Portugal. Visit www.vegware.com for the full catalogue and further information.

Further information, interviews and more:

comms@vegware.co.uk / 0845 643 0406 / @vegware

www.vegware.com

Lucy Frankel, Communications Director, Vegware

lucy@vegware.co.uk / 07906 635 139 / @lucyfrankel

Photography

High and low res images of our products, people and award wins can be found here.

Low-res images include _800x in the filename and high-res images do not.