1980
Bruno Caron becomes sales director for Le Ster biscuit factory.
Having been around since 2015, Norac Foods UK (NFUK) has become a major player in the UK food market. Thanks to the great efforts of our team, the support of our French Norac Foods group and our sister manufacturing companies, our organic growth has positioned us as a key partner in the baked continental morning goods sector, which also make for perfect snacks. We are not only a specialist of morning goods and breads in the ambient category, but have a strong offering of premium antipasti and dips in the chilled sector too.
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How it all started
Norac Foods UK is one of the subsidiaries of Norac Foods group (www.noracfoods.com), a privately-owned French company, founded by Bruno Caron in 1989. Until 1994, Norac Foods was made of three main companies: Le Ster, the first company of the group (making mainly madeleines and jam filled cakes), La Boulangère (making brioches, croissants, baguettes and pains au chocolat) and crêperie Faure (famously making the first filled crêpes).
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First steps to the UK
Since early on in the history of Norac Foods, the UK has been a key destination. Bruno Caron started selling his famous ‘madeleines longues,’ or finger madeleines, to Tesco in the 80s whilst working at Le Ster as Sales Director. However, it took longer for the brioches and crêpes to cross the channel. 11 years after the creation of the group, the first filled crêpes and the first brioche rolls were introduced to the British market thanks to the efforts of a UK partner of the group at the time.
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The UK venture
The UK market has grown steadily since 2000, and competitors have been on the market since 2003. In 2014, considering the size of the market and the international focus of the Group, Norac Foods decided to set up its own trade, marketing, and logistics organisation in the UK.
Norac Foods UK was set up to get closer to our UK customers and get a better understanding of the UK market, thus founding a key liaison with the Norac Foods companies manufacturing the goods for us.
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Creation of Norac Foods UK
Bruno de Bourmont was put in charge of this new adventure and Norac Foods UK was created officially in January 2015. A British Sales Director joined the company in February 2015. The NFUK team was beginning to take shape.
NFUK invoiced its customers for the first time in September 2015. NFUK now counts 18 people as part of the team and has become a major supplier of retailers for continental morning goods.
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Norac Foods UK culture
NFUK management is about trust in its people and a pleasant working environment in order to maintain the highest level of enthusiasm in daily activities, as intense as they can be. NFUK has an informal professional management style, inviting everyone to express themselves, commit to producing the best results, stay unified through challenges, and share the success and joy of working together.
Company Timeline
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1985
Bruno Caron takes over as general manager and gradually takes ownership of Le Ster.
The first finger madeleines are exported to the UK. -
1992
Norac Foods group is founded.
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2000
The first export of brioche products and crêpes to the UK, via a partner.
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2014
The first launch of the Soft French Baguettes (our iconic hybrid bread) in the UK under one of the group’s brand names.
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2015
Creation of Norac Foods UK (NFUK).
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2016
The launch of Whaoo! filled crêpes in the UK.
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2017
The launch of La Boulangère UK branded products range.
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2018
Introduction of EPICA tapenade to NFUK-branded products portfolio.
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2019
The launch of La Boulangère Vegan range.
Our Vision
Is linked to our mother company, Norac Foods’ vision: Sustainable growth alongside current food and nutrition trends and a profound respect for the environment.
Norac group is active in three major food and beverage retail markets (Europe, US and Brazil). With our numerous factories, 11 subsidiaries and close to 5500 employees, our goal has always been to grow, manufacture and distribute high quality affordable and honest products for everyone to enjoy.
Our French industrial partners of the group work tirelessly to improve their products according to three pillars: better taste experience, better nutrition and less environmental impact.
Our Mission
Is to build and grow NFUK’s presence in the UK through a great service and the expertise of our team, with the support of the group and our sister companies.
We want to provide each British household with the very best of French baking and share the experience of the founders of La Boulangère and Whaoo!, which includes their artisanal way of working. Our beloved brands are built on the values of quality, taste, tradition, sustainability and convenience.
Our Values
- Team spirit
- Integrity
- Accountability and responsibility
- Commitment and passion
- Creativity
- Focus and results
Employees
Our wonderful team is key for NFUK. Highly committed and dynamic, the team members all have rich knowledge and experience of the UK market, yet a diversity which is the source of our creativity and openness to adaptability. At NFUK, we believe in local decisions and trust the professionals who experience the daily lifestyle and culture of the UK.
Location
NFUK’s office is located in London, one of the most dynamic and opportunity-rich cities – a diverse setting that is constantly progressing.
World Map of our Sister Sites part of Norac Foods Group
Trading units
Production plant
Bread and baked goods
Bread and baked goods
Production plant
On the go
On the go
Production plant
Food service
Food service
