Whitworths

What Whitworths does

Whitworths Ltd is a privately-held UK food manufacturer founded in 1886, headquartered in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, where it operates a single 22-acre site comprising 5 manufacturing plants (fruit, cereal, nut, peanut and coating operations), a heat treatment area, a mixing area, and 7 warehouses. The business runs a dual model: a B2B ingredients arm supplying bulk dried fruit, nuts, seeds, tropical fruits, desiccated coconut, glace fruits, and heat-treated seeds to food manufacturers under fixed-price contracts and spot purchases, and a B2C branded packaged-food portfolio covering core dried fruit, nuts, seeds and grazing snacks, plus value-added ranges — 1DERS 1-A-DAY single-portion packs, Nutty Kitchen plant-based supermince, Power 10 breakfast toppers, Wondermix functional toppers, Wok Tops stir fry toppings, Fusions exotic fruit, Nutriboost smoothie blends, SHOTS on-the-go clusters, and Sunny Kids children's snacks. Distribution runs through Tesco, Ocado, and WH Smith travel retail, with a direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront offering subscription capability and a TikTok Shop presence. The Whitworths Food Group extended into edible oils via the April 2025 acquisition of KTC Edibles.

Underlying the branded business is a proprietary digital platform called Smart Nutrition+ — a free mobile app (iOS and Android) with Class 1 Medical Device classification that tracks 34 macro and micronutrients, applies a diet-optimization engine against 12 nutrient targets, and serves personalized recommendations. The software architecture and food database come from Dietary Assessment Limited (DAL), powered by the McCance food database and MyFood24 developed at the University of Leeds under Professor Janet Cade. The company also maintains a Knowledge Library and runs an integrated marketing operation across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, email, TV/VOD (including Channel 4), influencer partnerships (Gemma Atkinson, Matt Tebbutt), PR/earned media, and in-store activations, anchored by its 'Mission Nutrition' positioning and 'Campaign for Change' lobbying effort.

The company serves four primary customer segments: health-conscious UK consumers seeking nutritional supplementation through natural foods; the food manufacturing industry sourcing BRC-, SEDEX- and Soil Association-accredited ingredients; parents seeking healthier children's snacks (Sunny Kids); and convenience food seekers looking for plant-based (Nutty Kitchen) or quick-cook meal solutions. Revenue is generated through retail unit sales (consumer products), quote-based B2B contracts and spot purchases (ingredients), with the app serving as a non-monetized product-led growth tool. Whitworths holds BRC Global Standard, SEDEX/SMETA, Soil Association organic, and Considerate Constructors 4-Star certifications; CEO Mark Fairweather leads the company, with Phil Gowland as Commercial Director and Baz Goode as Head of Brand.

Name

Whitworths

Legal name

Whitworths Ltd

Website

https://whitworths.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1886

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Whitworths is a privately-held UK food manufacturer founded in 1886 that produces dried fruit, nut, seed, and snack products, supplying both food manufacturers with bulk ingredients and UK consumers through its own branded portfolio and major retailers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dried Fruit, Nuts and Seeds

NAICS

Fruit and Vegetable Canning, Pickling, and Drying (31142), Other Snack Food Manufacturing (311919), Other Grocery and Related Products Merchant Wholesalers (42449), Other Specialty Food Retailers (44529)

SIC

Canned, Frozen & Preservd Fruit, Veg & Food Specialties (2030), Food And Kindred Products (2000), Wholesale-Groceries & Related Products (5140)

akta.pro primary industry

Dried Fruit & Fruit Snacks Manufacturing (AFAKAIAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialty & Gourmet Foods Wholesale Distribution (CRAOAAAI), Bulk Baking & Ingredients Supply Stores (Flour, Spices, Grains) (CRAHAMAK), Gourmet & Fine Food Stores (CRAHAGAG)

Keywords

• Dried fruit products
• Nuts and seeds
• Snack manufacturing
• B2B food ingredients
• Plant-based meals

Headquarters

HQ city

Irthlingborough

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Consumer Product Sales: Sale of branded dried fruit, nuts, seeds, and prepared food products (Nutty Kitchen, Wondermix, Power 10, Shots, Wok Tops, 1DERS) to consumers through retail stores and e-commerce. Revenue generated from unit sales at various price points.
2. B2B Ingredients Supply: Supply of natural raw materials (sultanas, raisins, currants, mixed fruit, tree fruits, cranberries, desiccated coconut, banana, tropical fruits, glace fruits, nuts, applesoft, high moisture fruit, heat treated seeds) to food manufacturing industry. Offers long and short term fixed price contracts and spot purchases.
3. Smart Nutrition+ App: Free mobile application providing nutrition tracking and optimisation. Revenue model not directly monetised; serves as product-led growth tool to drive product awareness and consumption.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Whitworths manufactures and supplies dried fruit, nuts, seeds, and related snack products from its 22-acre Irthlingborough facility. The company operates a dual business: branded consumer products sold through UK retailers and e-commerce, plus B2B supply of raw ingredient materials to food manufacturers. Recent offerings extend into value-added categories such as plant-based supermince, breakfast toppers, smoothie blends, and a free Smart Nutrition+ diet tracking app.

Product overview

Whitworths is a UK-based food company founded in 1886, specializing in dried fruit, nuts, and seeds. The company operates a dual business model: B2B supply of raw ingredients to food manufacturers, and B2C consumer products through multiple branded ranges. Consumer offerings include core dried fruit, nuts, and seeds; health-focused snack brands (1DERS 1-A-DAY, SHOTS, Grazing Snacks, Sunny Kids); mealtime solution products (Nutty Kitchen plant-based supermince, Wok Tops stir fry toppers, Wondermix and Power 10 breakfast toppers, Nutriboost smoothie blends); the Smart Nutrition+ diet tracking app; and the Fusions exotic fruit combinations. The products are unified under the company's 'Mission Nutrition' positioning, emphasizing the health benefits of nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. Whitworths also operates the Knowledge Library educational resource and campaigns for government recognition of nuts and seeds in dietary guidelines.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Nutriboost: Smoothie blend product line featuring fruit and nut combinations
• 1DERS
• Nutty Kitchen
• Power 10
• Wondermix
• Wok Tops
• Sunny Kids
• Shots
• Fusions
• Smart Nutrition+

Products and services

• Nutriboost Smoothie Blends

Quantifiable outcome

• Studies show 5 portions of nuts weekly can reduce heart disease risk by up to 50%
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Gemma AtkinsoncoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2026Influencer and wellness advocate partnered as campaign ambassador for 'Morning to Night' campaign. Gemma Atkinson shares nutrition and wellness content to her millions of followers across social media channels, driving awareness of Whitworths' nutrition message.
• British Dietetic Association (BDA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Strategic partnership formed to champion nutrition's role in preventing chronic disease. BDA supports Whitworths' Campaign for Change with expert roundtables and academic consensus building on consumption recommendations for nuts, seeds, and dried fruit.
• Dietary Assessment Limited (DAL)coreTechnology or IntegrationDAL provided the software architecture and food databases used within the Smart Nutrition+ app. The app is developed using DAL's software and powered by the McCance database, a trusted resource used by dietitians across the UK. DAL acts as data processor under GDPR.
• University of LeedscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Professor Janet Cade and the Nutritional Epidemiology Group at the School of Food Science and Nutrition. Professor Cade provides expert commentary on the diet optimisation engine and validates the app's approach to personalised nutrition advice.
• Cando CareminorOthersWhitworths' designated charity partner, a Northamptonshire-based wellbeing care centre reinvesting all profits for public good. Whitworths Charity Committee organises fundraising activities including Summer Fun Day, Bingo nights, Charity Bake Off, raising approximately £2,300 annually.
• Matt TebbuttcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChef and TV presenter partnered with Whitworths to offer practical tips for adding nuts, seeds, and dried fruit to everyday diets. Collaboration includes recipe development, cooking videos, and promotional content demonstrating nutritious meal preparation.
• PuritionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerManufacturer partnership for Soul Kitchen brand mentioned in convenience food market context, not directly a Whitworths partnership.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Graze: Graze delivers portion-controlled nut, seed and fruit snack boxes via subscription and retail, overlapping with Whitworths' 1DERS single-serve, SHOTS, and Grazing Snacks ranges.
• KIND Snacks: KIND produces nut-based snack bars and clusters with strong UK grocery distribution, competing with Whitworths' SHOTS clusters, Wondermix toppers and Nutty Kitchen plant-based formats.
• Eat Natural: Eat Natural makes nut, fruit and seed snack bars and packs sold across UK grocery, overlapping with Whitworths' Wondermix, 1DERS and Power 10 ranges in snacking and breakfast occasions.
• Forest Feast: Forest Feast is a UK-based premium dried fruit and nut snack brand, owned by Foresight. It competes directly with Whitworths on dried fruit, nut mixes and snacking formats sold through UK grocery and convenience channels.
• Sun-Maid Growers of California: Sun-Maid is a global heritage dried fruit brand (raisins, dried cranberries) sold in UK grocery, directly overlapping with Whitworths' Spectacular Sultanas and Brilliant dried-fruit core range.
• Ocean Spray Cranberries: Ocean Spray markets dried cranberries and Craisins in the UK, overlapping with Whitworths' Clever Cranberries and mixed-fruit consumer and B2B ingredient lines.
• Bear (Bear Snacks): Bear is a UK-focused dried fruit snack brand (fruit bears, yo-yos) competing with Whitworths' Sunny Kids range and broader dried fruit portfolio in grocery and family/snack occasions.

Regional players

• Holland & Barrett: Holland & Barrett is a UK specialty health-food retailer with its own-brand nuts, seeds and dried fruit ranges, both competing with and distributing Whitworths' health-positioned products in the UK.

Broad incumbents

• KP Nuts (KP Snacks): KP Snacks is a major UK branded snacks manufacturer (KP Nuts, Hula Hoops, McCoy's), competing broadly in UK impulse and grocery snacking against Whitworths' SHOTS, 1DERS and dried fruit packs.
• Blue Diamond Growers (Almond Breeze, Blue Diamond): Blue Diamond is a large US almond cooperative with UK grocery presence across nuts and snacks, competing with Whitworths' Amazing Almonds and broader nuts range as a broader incumbent in branded nuts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/whitworthsuk
• TikToktiktok.com/@whitworthsuk
• Xx.com/whitworths
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/whitworths-ltd

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Whitworths