From Strength to Strength in 2014
The Real Pie Company is a dedicated artisan baker. The company has been established for 16 years. Customers love the pies and the business has been growing gradually.
But over the last two years it has taken a leap forward. It started with substantial investment in production and technology. And in 2013 a new brand styling was created. It support the central appeal of the brand and helps to differentiate it from competitors. The combination has made an immediate impact.
Now distribution is across Budgens, Nisa and the Coop, as well as independent convenience stores and many farm shops. With a move to new premises on the horizon in 2015 and with it a further, substantial increase in capacity, The Real Pie Company are looking to take an even bigger slice of the market in the future.
Appealing to today’s Consumer
Today’s consumers are looking for quality products and are prepared to pay a price for a premium pie. Consumers are also interested in local, British made products.
The Real Pie Company range can fill these current consumer requirements. Real Pies contain only British ingredients and wherever possible are locally sourced. They have full farm to fork traceability, giving customers the confidence to buy. Real Pies are uncompromisingly wholesome – “crammed to the crust” – and still excellent value. Of course they are convenient. Crucially for retailers the quality brings customers back time and again.
Upholding Artisan Principles
The appeal of The Real Pies is their local, artisan tradition. Real Pies are baked in small batches under the watchful eyes of the brand’s own chefs. Real Pies are uncompromisingly wholesome and delivered as fresh as possible.
“We believe it is our passion for pies, combined with our local ingredients and artisan principles that is driving sales”, comments Brett Hornby, Head Chef at the Real Pie Company. “This differentiates us in today’s market. It is an appeal that resonates with today’s consumers. They are looking for quality, convenience and for local products wherever available. And our pies can provide it.”
Crammed to the Crust
You can feel the passion as Brett, describes the pies. “When you pick up one of our Real Pies you will notice it feels heavy. That’s because it is ‘crammed to the crust’ with mouthwateringly tender chunks of meat in a rich gravy. You can’t hurry a masterpiece so the meat in our pies is slow cooked to make it succulent and tasty. It’s all wrapped up with a light puff pastry top and a short crust base, keeping to the family recipe.”
An Award Winning Range
The range has been extended and now includes over 17 savoury Pies as well as sausage rolls, the Sussex Pasty, Steak & Kidney Puddings and fruit pies. There are of course a number of firm favourites that are top sellers – like Steak & Kidney, Chicken and Ham and Chicken and Mushroom. The pies are offered in individual and family sizes with every pie providing a good portion.
The taste and quality has been recognised with a series of awards. These include the Steak & Guinness Pie being shortlisted in the Quality Food Awards for 2014. The Real Pasty has been awarded a prestigious gold star at the 2013 Great Taste Award (from over 10,000 entries). The judges noted “the flaky golden pastry, well filled with meat and vegetables. It has a nice meaty aroma. The flavour was pleasing with very good seasoning.”
At the British Pie Awards both the Chicken and Mushroom and Chicken and Ham pies gained Silver. The awards add to the prestige of the pies and they confirm the quality.
Servicing Retailers
The pies themselves are always well received by retailers. Proof being the ever extending list of outlets, from farm shops to convenience stores, chains and supermarkets. But the company are also keen to help retailers with easy ordering and promotional literature and offers. The brand stands out on the shelf and by filling a gap for quality, British made food, it is extending the range that retailers can make available.
Christine Cossins, The Real Pie Company’s MD, is delighted with how the year has gone and understandably excited about 2015. “We’ve worked hard to make our pies attractive to customers and retailers. They are wholesome, Awarding winning and tasty, with British meat. They have eye catching packaging and they are competitively priced. That combination goes down well with retailers”.
New Premises for 2015
With sales going through the roof in 2014, the Real Pie Company is set to move to new premises in 2015. This will offer state of the art production facilities to enable expansion of production. But of course the new premises will be local to Sussex!
It will also give the brand a chance to expand the range. Head of Operations Brett Hornby is keen to add new flavours – already in 2014 a Chicken and Balti Pie and a Pork, Bacon and Parsley Pie have been added. More will be introduced in 2015 and in particular fruit pies, and more distinctive flavours.
Christine Cossins
Tel: 01293 550977
Email: cc@therealpieco.co.uk
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