Monmouthshire-based Hive Mind Mead and Brew Co has launched into Marks & Spencer stores across the UK, making use of the SALSA certification secured with the help of the Welsh Government’s HELIX Programme, formerly Project HELIX.
The company’s first major retail listing has seen their Pure Honey, Honey and Rhubarb, and Honey and Elderflower sparkling meads, which are made using British honey, launch into 50 Marks and Spencer stores. It’s the next step in the growth journey for the business that was founded in 2018 by brothers Kit and Matt Newell with the goal of modernising the world’s oldest alcoholic drink.
Through the HELIX Programme, Hive Mind has received Welsh Government funded technical support for over five years from ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Having been supported initially to gain SALSA certification in 2023, ZERO2FIVE now annually reviews Hive Mind’s food and drink safety management systems against the requirements of the standard and delivers mentoring in development areas such as supplier approval and traceability testing.
SALSA is one of the most widely recognised food and drink safety certification schemes in the UK and it is important to many food and drink manufacturers as it enables them to secure major retail listings by demonstrating that they are operating to industry-recognised food and drink safety standards.
As well as gaining a listing with Marks & Spencer, holding SALSA certification has enabled Hive Mind to export to overseas markets like Taiwan and Denmark and create two additional full-time jobs within the company, with more on the horizon.
Matt Newell, Co-founder of Hive Mind said:
“Securing and maintaining SALSA certification with support from the HELIX Programme has been vital to the growth of our business. We are excited to gain this listing with Marks & Spencer as it will allow our sparkling mead to reach a new UK-wide audience.
“ZERO2FIVE’s wide range of industry expertise coupled with their practical and collaborative approach, is why we would have no hesitation in recommending their support to food and drink businesses in our position who are looking to take the next step with food safety certification.”
Professor David Lloyd, Director of ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre, said:
“Food safety certification schemes like SALSA are vital to Welsh food and drink SMEs who are looking to sell their products through national retail, foodservice and wholesale channels. If your company is looking to secure one of these standards, then we would encourage you to contact us to discuss the Welsh Government funded support that may be available.”
