 Born
in Manchester in 1948 my first introduction to the fruit business was
as a porter in the Old Smithfield Market . I then worked as a Fruit Buyer
in the original Covent Garden Market prior to setting up Fruco in 1975.
Initially working alone from a small office in Tunbridge Wells I specialised
in French apples, cherries and carrots. In 1978 the Company, whose employees
now numbered four, moved to Owl House Farm, Lamberhurst, one of three
fruit farms purchased to broaden its trading base. By this time it was
evident that the influence of the supermarket business was diluting the
trade to such an extent that in order to maintain the expansion of the
business it would be necessary to increase the product lines handled and
to provide more of a ‘one-stop shopping’ concept to our customer
base. A move to larger premises in 1983 was subsequently followed by the
disposal of our non-core fruit growing interests in order to concentrate
on what we do best – trading fresh produce. Much of my personal
time is now spent administering Fruco and its associated farming and property
companies with the day to day produce trading very much in the very capable
hands of Simon Lane, Graham Darsey and Des Finn.
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