|
Discovery
Foods group MD Brian Ridgeway has become the first non-American to be
voted to a senior position on the Tortilla Industry Association, the
US-based body which oversees the multi billion dollar worldwide industry.
Brian, 61, was
already the first Brit to ever be a board member - and he has now
been appointed treasurer of the Washington DC-based organisation.
The Tortilla
Industry Association, or TIA, was created in 1990 to serve the
then-emerging tortilla industry, now the fastest growing segment of
the baking industry. In the US, annual sales of tortillas exceed all
other ethnic and specialty bread sales, including bagels, croissants,
muffins and pitta bread - while recent independent research by TNS
found that 68 million fajita wraps will be consumed in the UK over
the next 12 months.
The TIA is a
not-for-profit organisation whose members include tortilla
manufacturers, industry suppliers and distributors around the world,
and companies with interests in the rapidly growing tortilla
industry.
In the UK,
Discovery recently opened a third, state-of-the-art tortilla factory,
in Milton Keynes, Bucks, and has also launched its sub-brand
"Wrap 'n Roll", a new range of healthy tortilla wraps.
Brian, who is
married with two grown up children, and lives in Weedon, Northants,
said: "From humble beginnings the tortilla industry has grown
into a multi-billion dollar industry across the globe, and it's a
great honour to be the first non-American to be playing such a key
part in its growth.
"It's
also a tremendous reflection on Discovery, and how we're helping
shape customers' food habits. Our founder James Beaton introduced the
tortilla wrap to the UK in the mid-90s, and we strive to continue
introducing new flavours and food styles to consumers.'
As well as the
UK, the company exports from its three factories - the other two are
in Daventry, Northants - to several countries around the world;
earlier this year it announced a major order from a Swedish
supermarket chain worth up to £2m a year
top
|
