Beanies drinks to GiveToLocal partnership

One of the region’s fastest growing companies has partnered with one of North East sport’s major players to support communities throughout 2021.

Beanies Flavour Coffee featured in the annual Fastest 50 list — compiled by UK Top 100 law firm Ward Hadaway — for the first time in 2020.

The Darlington-based firm has consistently increased turnover while remaining profitable and recorded 40.3% growth to land in 11th spot in last year’s prestigious Fastest 50 list.

And with a track record for supporting community sport in the Darlington area for several years, Beanies bosses believe the time is right to broaden the company’s reach and impact positively on clubs across the region.

“We’ve supported local sports teams on an individual basis for a while now,” explained Beanies’ Marketing Executive, Lucy Ward.

“We’ve got strong ties with Darlington Rugby Club and various grassroots football teams across the town.

“But we’re a growing company and we want our support of communities across the region to reflect that growth.

“GiveToLocal offers us a far greater opportunity to support community sport across the board.

“By becoming part of the GiveToLocal network we can impact positively on more people and on a wider range of sports.”

Beanies has become the latest regional partner to align itself with GiveToLocal’s mission to back sport, boost business and build networks.

And this month, in partnership with the North East England Chamber of Commerce, GiveToLocal is inviting more local businesses like Beanies to attend webinars detailing the organisation’s structure, aims and ambitions.

David Broom, GiveToLocal’s head of corporate relations, added: “What you really need to enjoy these webinars from the comfort of your own home is a lovely cup of flavoured coffee!

“Beanies have partnered with us at just the right time. Nobody can get out right now to buy their favourite coffee but we all need that warm drink now more than ever.

“I think all of us in the business community are missing our mid-morning coffee meetings and the sooner that networking can resume the better.

“But Lucy and the Beanies team are filling that gap with their fantastic flavours and it’s great to see a North East company thriving at the height of the pandemic.

“I know that Mark [Porteous, founder of Beanies] is a family man who loves his sport and we’re looking forward to working with a firm that shares GiveToLocal’s commitment to the community.”

Beanies turned over almost £5m last year and the firm exports its products across the globe.

They are part of a new Buy British campaign, launched by the Blue Collar Conservative group of MPs, which is urging the public and government to focus on trailblazing UK products.

At the same time Beanies’ record as a successful exporter was recognised last year when International Trade Secretary Liz Truss met MD John Evans at the business’s Darlington base.

“Businesses across the North East have faced a number of challenges during the last 10 months and it’s been a difficult time for many,” added Lucy.

“However, we’ve been very lucky and we’re one of those firms which has thrived during the pandemic.

“People still want to drink their favourite flavoured coffees but doing that outside of their homes hasn’t always been possible since March.

“We’ve been able to increase our supply and ensure that our products arrive where they’re needed most.”

The surge in demand for Beanies’ products during the first UK-wide lockdown last spring caught Lucy and her team by surprise.

But the business was able to pivot and expand as it became clear the global appetite for flavoured coffee showed no sign of waning.

“The upturn in demand was far, far bigger than we imagined,” added Lucy.

“Originally our online orders were fulfilled via two computers but we’ve increased that capacity sixfold.

“We’ve had to scale up significantly since April and that includes opening up a new warehouse.”

Working in partnership with GiveToLocal, the Beanies team will be in the perfect position to make a positive contribution to communities across the North East.

And David added: “It’s an exciting time to start working alongside Lucy and her colleagues.

“2021 is a big year for GiveToLocal. We’re working with 21 sports and the support we receive from the region’s business community allows us to make an even greater impact where it matters most.

“I’m looking forward to welcoming more new faces to our webinars this month and we can’t wait to shine a light on what we do and why we do it.”

The ‘Get To Know GiveToLocal’ webinars will take place on January 26 and 28. For further details and to register your interest visit www.givetolocal.com/nee-webinar

For further information on Beanies visit www.beaniesflavourco.co.uk