A British manufacturing success story – JPL Flavours
Background
Founded in 2014 by Jake Lavelle, just before he turned 22, JPL Flavours has emerged as one of the UK’s fastest-growing independent flavour manufacturers. Based in Bromborough, Wirral, the company has grown from a one-man start-up to a 52-strong team supplying major global food brands.
Jake’s entrepreneurial journey began after an abrupt change in his working environment. While employed at a small, family-run flavours business, Jake and his colleagues discovered through a Google search that the company had been acquired by a multinational.
Disillusioned by the shift in culture, Jake made the decision to strike out on his own – with no formal business training, little capital and a fierce determination to maintain the creativity and collaborative spirit he valued.
The challenge
Jake faced considerable barriers at the outset. With limited financial resources, no experience of running a business and a competitive market dominated by corporates and private equity-backed firms, success was far from guaranteed.
In the early days, Jake juggled three jobs: working night shifts at FedEx, consulting for other manufacturers, and developing flavours in a small home lab. With minimal support infrastructure and pressure mounting to turn a profit, building trust and credibility with prospective clients posed a major hurdle. Furthermore, resisting the lure of external funding while scaling up operations created additional strain on cash flow and internal capacity.
‘Jake’s response to these challenges was grounded in hard work, innovation and a commitment to family.’
The approach
Jake’s response to these challenges was grounded in hard work, innovation and a commitment to family. From the outset, he received hands-on support from his partner, Danielle, who helped produce early samples that secured JPL’s first customers. As the business expanded, Jake brought in several family members, embedding a strong familial culture that endures today.
Rather than pursue rapid growth through funding, Jake reinvested profits to scale organically, prioritising control and long-term sustainability. His philosophy was shaped by personal experience of acquisition, driving his determination to build an independent company with strong values and people-first leadership.
In 2018, Jake joined a mentoring programme through the Growth Company in Manchester, where he worked closely with business mentor John Scott. This proved to be a turning point, helping Jake transition from doing 95% of the technical work himself to building a capable management team and focusing on strategic leadership.
Innovation remains at the heart of JPL Flavours’ growth. The company became the first UK flavour manufacturer to introduce automated production, investing in advanced technology at its Bromborough site to enhance efficiency and protect local jobs. Jake’s approach to flavour development blends science, memory and creativity, resulting in unique flavour profiles that have won contracts with leading brands such as Krispy Kreme and Starbucks South Korea.
Talking points
• Family-led growth: JPL Flavours thrives on family support and shared ownership, creating a culture of accountability and close-knit collaboration that continues to attract and retain talent.
• Organic scaling: By focusing investment on grants and loans, the company has maintained full independence, reinvesting profits into infrastructure, staff and innovation – rather than shareholder returns.
• Innovation in manufacturing: Through automation and inventive flavour creation, JPL has positioned itself as a trailblazer within British food manufacturing, offering bespoke solutions that stand out in a commoditised industry.
• Leadership evolution: Jake’s willingness to learn and adapt – particularly by embracing mentorship and delegating leadership – has enabled JPL to mature from a start-up to a structured, scalable business.
• Championing British industry: Committed to keeping manufacturing in the UK, Jake advocates for greater support for start-ups, citing the need for a more nurturing ecosystem akin to that seen abroad.
