Winners

Wren Laboratories is the company behind the UK and Ireland’s most recommended range of friendly bacteria supplements, Optibac Probiotics.

Probiotics, also known as friendly bacteria, are increasingly thought by scientists to play an important role in maintaining a person’s overall health and wellbeing. Add to this the use of antibiotics, pollution, stress, intensive farming, poor food choices and eating habits and it’s no surprise gut health is a growing global concern. The category is expected to be worth almost $7 billion by 2022.

A pioneer in friendly bacteria supplements, Wren Laboratories has worked with the world’s leading laboratories and the most scientifically researched probiotic strains for over 20 years. Its extensive range of quality supplements can be taken as part of a daily routine or used for more specific needs, such as support while on antibiotics and travelling abroad or with immunity, intimate health and pregnancy.

Rated ‘Excellent’ on TrustPilot, the world’s most powerful independent online review platform, Optibac Probiotics are sold to health food stores and pharmacies across the UK and Ireland and to many export markets across Europe and Asia.

Since proudly receiving a Queen’s Award for Enterprise – International Trade in 2019 the company continues to grow its international footprint, consistently delivering impressive year on year sales growth, opening new markets and building breadth and depth in existing markets, as the world adapts to the health challenges of the modern age.

CROSSHEAD: INVESTING IN THE FUTURE
At the heart of the company’s growth strategy is education. Jalal Janmohamed, Managing Director, comments: “Our investment and commitment to educate on the benefits of friendly bacteria across the globe through our highly skilled teams of nutrition professionals and microbiology experts is helping make probiotics an accessible, daily health choice to millions.”

It is this expertise alongside the company’s dedicated training team that has made Wren Laboratories an attractive partner for retailers, distributors, complementary and health care practitioners across the globe.

Wren Laboratories is a family-run business, employing over 80 people across Hampshire and London. Inspired by their father, a successful community pharmacist, siblings Jalal, Soraya and Farah founded the company in 2004 with the ambition to help people take better control of their own health.

CROSSHEAD: SUSTAINABILITY AT ITS CORE
Wren Laboratories takes pride in being an ethical and socially conscious business. The company’s raised over £400,000 for women’s rights charity Womankind Worldwide through donations made from every pack sold of the friendly bacteria supplement ‘For Women’.

In 2020 Wren Laboratories has gone to great lengths to reduce its environmental impact by replacing the plastic pots used in packaging with glass jars and compostable materials. The company’s ambitious sustainability targets mean it’s committed to going even further in future.

Alongside the new greener packaging, Wren Laboratories has refreshed the Optibac Probiotics brand for the first time in over 10 years to realign the consumer brand experience with the scientific credentials and high quality of their products.

Jalal adds: “We’re committed to bringing the best probiotic strains as sustainably as possible to our customers. This year sees the launch of ‘Kids Gummies’, an all-natural fruit gummy with friendly bacteria, vitamin D and calcium for digestive and immune support. This is the only gummy in 100% plastic-free packaging in the UK.”