Scratchings firm pulls off cracking deal

Walsall-based Ace Pub Supplies has been chosen by Banks's to supply its Q Pork Scratchings and other snacks to 1,500 of its pubs and clubs across the country, after the company won a new contract with the Wolverhampton-based brewery.

Before this they came first in Pork Idol, a nationwide contest to find the best pork scratchings.

Director Philip Rolls, aged 55, said it could lead to the creation of almost half a dozen jobs and £50,000 was being ploughed into new machinery at the site in Charles Street.

Mr Rolls said: "The popularity of pork scratchings is increasing all the time.

"We are selling more and more all over the place and as far afield as Scotland."

The company, which also manufactures pork crackling, pork crunch and snacks, currently employs six people at its Walsall site and a further 10 at its Rugeley manufacturing plant called Rugeley Snack Company – also owned by Mr Rolls and his business partner Linda Rolls.

It already supplies Banks's managed pubs but after winning Pork Idol, it will see its snacks being sent to free houses as well.

"It's the equivalent of a major record deal in the pub snack world," said Mr Rolls.

"We were thrilled to be named winners.

"We have been supplying the Black Country with their favourite pub snack for more than 20 years and to win a taste contest and regional contract is simply fantastic."

Banks's marketing manager Des Gallagher said: "We've been delighted with the success of Pork Idol and the number of local suppliers who responded to the challenge.

"We're a local beer which truly reflects the tastes of our drinkers and have had great fun finding our winner."

Mr Rolls said his most popular pork scratching was the Roast Pork flavour. However he said other flavours such as pork and stuffing had been tested in the past as well.

The firm was founded 30 years ago and has had its base in Walsall for the last 15 years.