Hames Chocolates Ltd, based in Skegness, United Kingdom, is a premier British chocolate manufacturer and private-label specialist with over two decades of expertise in crafting bespoke, high-quality confectionery. Known for its artisan approach and scalable manufacturing capabilities, Hames Chocolates serves both domestic and international markets with custom-branded chocolates, foodservice offerings, and seasonal specialty products.
Company Overview
Founded in the late 1990s, Hames Chocolates began as a family-run business with a clear mission: to produce delicious, responsibly sourced chocolates with a personalized touch. Today, the company has grown into one of the UK’s leading private-label chocolate producers, supplying to luxury retailers, heritage sites, hospitality groups, and corporate gifting clients.
Core Business and Product Offerings
Hames Chocolates offers a wide-ranging portfolio that caters to both B2B and B2C sectors. Its ability to deliver fully branded, white-label, and bespoke chocolate solutions has set it apart in the competitive confectionery landscape.
Key Product Categories:
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Branded and Corporate Chocolates:
- Custom Chocolate Bars, Boxes, Neapolitans
- Hot Chocolate Bombes and Stirrers
- Branded Holiday and Festive Editions (Valentine's, Christmas, Easter, Ramadan)
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Hot Chocolate Range:
- Stir-in Spoons, Bombes, Pouches, Catering Packs
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Food Service & Catering:
- Chocolate shavings, loose truffles, melting buttons
- Decorations for cakes and desserts
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Heritage and Souvenir Products:
- Chocolate bars and lollipops for museums, gift shops, and tourism brands
- Fudge, toffee, rock candy, and novelty sweets
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Wholesale Chocolate:
- Seasonal assortments for Easter, Halloween, Christmas
- Premium collections like the “Alpha Bear” and “Bronze” ranges
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Chocolate Packaging Solutions:
- Fully customizable and biodegradable packaging
- Hampers, boxes, trays, and mail-ready kits
Manufacturing and Infrastructure
Hames Chocolates operates from a modern manufacturing facility located in Skegness, with specialized equipment tailored for small-batch artisan production as well as high-volume automated runs.
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Production Capabilities:
- Over 20 million chocolate units produced annually
- In-house design and printing for personalized packaging
- Capable of short runs as low as 100 units to large-scale private-label orders
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Certifications:
- SALSA (Safe and Local Supplier Approval) Certified
- UTZ Certified Cocoa Sourcing
- Compliance with UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) regulations
Financials and Business Scale
While privately held and not required to disclose detailed financials, Hames Chocolates is known to generate multi-million-pound annual revenues, primarily through private-label contracts, export orders, and seasonal corporate gifting campaigns.
- Estimated Annual Revenue (2023): £6–8 million
- Export Revenue Share: Approx. 25%
- Major Retail & B2B Clients: British Museum, National Trust, Harrods (via third-party distributors)
Export and Global Presence
Hames Chocolates has built a strong export footprint, supplying to distributors and retailers in over 15 countries, including the EU, Middle East, USA, and Australasia.
- Top Export Markets: Germany, France, UAE, Australia, Netherlands
- Shipment Volume (2023): Approx. 300 containers of seasonal and branded products
- Channels: Direct sales, trade show participation, B2B platforms like Faire and EWorldTrade
Customization & Private Labelling
One of Hames Chocolates' strongest value propositions is its robust private-label service that includes:
- Full concept-to-shelf support
- Custom recipe development and flavour profiles
- Bespoke packaging including luxury foils, biodegradable trays, and branded inserts
- Fast turnaround time and low minimum order quantities
Target Market
Hames Chocolates serves a variety of sectors, including:
- Heritage and tourist attractions
- Corporate gifting and promotional marketing firms
- Cafes, patisseries, and foodservice wholesalers
- Online retail boutiques
- High-end department stores and luxury gift shops
Sustainability & Ethical Sourcing
The company actively supports sustainable cocoa farming and is a certified user of UTZ/Rainforest Alliance-sourced chocolate. Additionally, it has incorporated recyclable and biodegradable packaging materials across much of its product line.
Customer Testimonials
“We’ve partnered with Hames Chocolates for over five years. Their flexibility, attention to detail, and beautiful packaging have helped us grow our seasonal chocolate sales.”
— Head of Buying, UK Heritage Retail Chain
“Their chocolate bombes are a best-seller in our Christmas range. It’s rare to find a partner who blends creativity and reliability this well.”
— B2B Gifting Supplier, Germany
Recognitions and Achievements
- Winner of multiple Great Taste Awards for its dark and milk chocolate products
- Featured supplier on B2B platform Faire for small retailers across Europe
- Selected partner for National Trust and English Heritage gift programs
- High consumer rating for flavour and presentation on various online channels
Hames Chocolates Ltd continues to uphold its artisan ethos while embracing scalable production to serve a global customer base. Its commitment to quality, customisation, and sustainability makes it a trusted choice for businesses seeking premium chocolate solutions with a personal touch.
