Berkshire Flavour Firm I.T.S. Unveils £10m Expansion, Aims to Become UK's Largest Natural Flavour Producer

BERKSHIRE, UK – I.T.S., a homegrown producer of natural flavours for the global food and beverage industry, has announced a transformative £10 million investment to establish one of the United Kingdom's largest dedicated flavour manufacturing complexes. The expansion centres on an 8.2-acre site acquisition in Hungerford, a strategic move poised to boost the company's production capacity for liquid and powdered flavours by a factor of twenty.

The company, which will maintain and continue to develop its two existing operational and R&D sites in Newbury, stated the new Hungerford facility is expected to be operational within the next 18 months. Founded in 2009 by Mike Bagshaw from his kitchen table, I.T.S. currently employs 40 people. This expansion signals a bold leap from its modest origins towards its stated ambition of becoming "the world's most-loved flavour house."

"This investment marks a pivotal chapter for I.T.S.," said Bagshaw. "From a kitchen table start sixteen years ago to this, it's fantastic news for our team and the local economy along the M4 corridor. My mantra has always been to be brave, scale ambitiously, enjoy the journey, and safeguard our independence. We're firmly on that path."

Industry Context & Analysis: The move comes as consumer demand for natural ingredients and clean-label products continues to surge globally, putting specialised flavour houses like I.T.S. in a strong growth position. Analysts note that consolidating and significantly scaling production capacity within the UK can reduce supply chain vulnerabilities and serve both domestic and European markets more efficiently post-Brexit. The investment is also a welcome boost for the Berkshire regional economy, promising skilled manufacturing job creation.

Reactions & Commentary:

• Sarah Chen, Food Industry Analyst: "I.T.S.'s expansion is a calculated bet on the sustained premiumisation of the food sector. Their focus on natural flavours aligns perfectly with market trends. Scaling up locally, rather than offshoring, could give them a significant agility advantage."
• David Miller, Local Business Association Chair: "This is exactly the type of high-value, innovative manufacturing we want to retain and grow in Berkshire. It validates the area as a hub for food science and technology, and the local multiplier effect will be substantial."
• Emma Rostow, Consumer Advocate (sharper tone): "'World's most-loved flavour house'? That's a lofty marketing claim. While the jobs are welcome, let's see if this 'brave' scaling prioritises true flavour innovation and sustainability, or just becomes another corporate story about volume. Many 'natural' flavours are still highly processed. Transparency will be key."
• Raj Patel, SME Growth Consultant: "Bagshaw's journey from kitchen table to a £10m expansion is an inspirational blueprint for UK entrepreneurs. Maintaining independence while scaling is a difficult balance to strike, and their success could encourage similar ventures in the region."