Founded in 1917, Gerald McDonald & Company is a family-owned importer, blender, and distributor of food ingredients, supplying everything from fruit juices and essential oils to herbs, spices, and bespoke blends. Serving customers across the food, drink, and manufacturing sectors, the company has built its reputation on quality, flexibility, and long-term relationships.

In this interview with IFE Manufacturing, Managing Director Maxim McDonald discusses the values that have guided the company’s growth, reflects on key achievements, and shares what’s ahead as the business continues to evolve in a changing global market.

What has been the driving force behind your company's growth over the years?

The key to our growth since 1917 has been maintaining our family business values whilst continuously adapting to market needs. We've prioritised flexibility – we don't impose minimum order quantities, which has been a real differentiator, allowing us to support businesses from start-ups to FTSE 100 companies. Our move from London to Basildon in 2000 gave us the space to add our own blending and warehousing facilities, which transformed our ability to add value. Most importantly, we've built trust through long-term relationships – some customers have been with us for decades, having grown alongside us from their early stages.

Can you share one or two standout achievements you're particularly proud of?

We've had several achievements that really stand out. Our expansion into Japan has been remarkable – since opening our Kobe office in 2016 we’ve begun exporting to the region, whilst also bridging cultures by introducing Japanese ingredients like Yuzu juice to Western markets. Our Yuzu juice won 'Ingredient of the Year' at the British Frozen Food Awards.

We were also incredibly proud to receive the 'Made in the UK' Award 2025 in the Food and Drink category awarded by the UK Government , recognising our British heritage and commitment to UK manufacturing excellence. Additionally, being named one of The Sunday Times Top 100 Employers in the UK is testament to the atmosphere and ethos that's been embedded throughout our business for generations – our 50-strong team is absolutely central to our success.

How has being part of IFE Manufacturing supported your journey?

Trade shows like IFE Manufacturing are invaluable for our industry. They're where we connect with both existing customers and discover new opportunities. Shows allow us to showcase our capabilities and introduce trending ingredients. Face-to-face encounters and meetings remain crucial in building the trust that underpins long-term partnerships, and IFE provides the perfect platform for this.

What exciting plans or goals are on the horizon for your business?

We're continuing to expand our Asian presence, using our Japanese office as a springboard into other markets in the region. We’ve just acquired a local company called Demos Ciclitira which distributes and packs dried fruit, grains, seeds, and pulses. Also, we have blending facility expansion plans to make sure we remain at the forefront of ingredient innovation whilst maintaining the flexibility that our customers value.

Find out more about Gerland McDonald & Company at geraldmcdonald.com.