Robert Langmead

ign="center">could no longer make all the decisions on his own! He
Robert Langmeadtherefore recruited a top-notch Board of Directors and
Robert Langmead was born in Chichester, Westbegan to teach himself how to run a business
Sussex in 1968 into a family with a long history ofdifferently from the hands-on approach he had started
farming and business success. The Langmead familywith. This structural change allowed the business to
can trace their farming roots back to 1590 in Cornwall,have the infrastructure and systems in place to
Southwest England. In 1888, Robert's great-greatcontinue successful expansion.
grandfather moved his family and business to WestRobert's business philosophy is built around 100%
Sussex where he became a tenant farmer. Fromcustomer satisfaction. Everything Natures Way Foods
these humble beginnings, the Langmead family landdoes is dedicated to serving its customers better in the
base grew through subsequent generations. Now inareas of quality, service, innovation, food safety and
the 21st century, the extended family own and farmprice. His employees are also totally committed to this
over 20,000 acres of prime land in Hampshire andvision and will move heaven and earth to deliver on
West Sussex.this philosophy every day. Robert also believes in open
Robert was brought up with business activity alltransparent and fair management and expects his
around him and as a young man became moreemployees to follow his example and work as a team
interested in commerce than farming. He wasto always put the customer first. Core strengths and
educated at Hurstpierpoint School in East Sussex andvalues of the business are integrity, honesty, and a
went on to gain a BSc in Business Studies at therespect for the environment.
University of Wales. After receiving his degree, RobertThese cultural values are the ones that Robert and his
traveled extensively and has visited many countriesstart-up team are importing to Wild Rocket Foods in
around the world, including driving from Cape Town toRiverside, California. In the fall of 2007 they opened a
the Congo in an old Land Rover.160,000 sq. ft. refrigerated manufacturing and
Robert joined Unilever in 1991 as a sales and marketingdistribution facility to service retail and food service
graduate. Here he gained quick insight into global foodcustomers in Southwest America. Wild Rocket Foods
manufacturing and marketing, which set him up for hiscombines the best ideas and practices from England
future role as a food industry entrepreneur.and combines them with the energy, talent and
Robert's brother, David, had meanwhile established aexperience of the new California-based Wild Rocket
very successful farming business in 1987, whichFoods team for yet another chapter in a
focused on supplying whole-head lettuce to Tesco ingroundbreaking success story.
the UK. By the early 90's Langmead Farms had grownRobert's vision for Wild Rocket Foods is to
to be not only Tesco's second largest salad supplier,“To be the most customer-focused and
but also the most respected in terms of quality andpassionate produce company in the United
service. In 1994, Tesco therefore requested that DavidStates” using these fundamental values:
expand Langmead Farms to produce fresh cut salads,• Always Delighting our Customers
which at that time was an emerging marketing the UK.• A Brilliant Place to Work
David immediately approached Robert suggesting that• Better Every Day
they set up a new business to service the fresh cut• Proud of How We do Business
market. This business combined David's farming skillsWild Rocket Foods is setting the stage for the next
with Robert's food marketing experience and Naturesgeneration of fresh produce and welcomes anyone
Way Foods was born. Again, from humble beginningswho relates to this vision to contact us about sharing
with only three employees and a small productionour future.
facility, the business exploded - generating over $1.8Report this article
million in sales during its first year of operation. Today,This article is free for republishing
Natures Way Foods is a $160 million success storySource:
and services major retailers and food serviceRepublish this article
customers with fresh cut salads, vegetables and fruits.
Its customers include Tesco, McDonalds, Morrison,Ask a Question About this Article
Costco, Prêt a Manger and Pizza Express. The>> Robert Sless
head office is based in Selsey, West Sussex and the>> When are newly elected directors of a not for
Company employs over 500 brilliant people working...
out of two state-of-the-art factories.>> Virginia was his birth home. A large family. He
Natures Way Foods was the fastest-growing food...
manufacturing company in the UK throughout the>> Is it possible to have success budding
1990's, more than doubling every year. When theapplewood, or peachwood to an apricot tree?
business reached $31 million, Robert realized that he