From small beginnings to sizzling success

Over the last 27 years, Westaway Sausages has transformed from a startup company to one that leads in innovation and performance in the competitive meat products sector, with support from Lloyds.

Read time: 5 mins  Added: 22/09/25

Charles Baughan’s family have been making sausages for over 100 years. The family’s first shop was established in 1898; in 1998, Charles first met Newton Abbot based Westaway Sausages and in 2008 he and his wife took over the company.

It has been an impressive growth journey. In June 2025, Westaway were a finalist in the Food Management Today Industry Awards in the category ‘UK Food Manufacturer of the Year 2025’. As a leading producer of sausages and related meat products, the business’ ability to adapt its offer over time has been a crucial growth driver. As has the availability of flexible financial backing. 

“We credit Lloyds’ support with allowing us to punch above our weight,” says Ilona Baughan, who stewards the finance operation. “It has enabled us to seize new contracts and act quickly, even when faced with short payment terms from suppliers.”

An additive solution

With the business increasing its revenue by consistent double-digit growth over recent years Westaway Sausages needed a more flexible financing facility than its historic overdraft facility was able to provide. The decision was made to migrate from an overdraft to Invoice Finance, a solution that lets businesses borrow against their accounts receivable to generate cash quickly.

The flexibility of the Invoice Finance solution meant we could grow the business without the need to apply for additional borrowing. As the business has continued to grow, we made a conscious decision to continue with Invoice Finance as it gave us confidence to bid for further high-volume business knowing that the funding would track the volumes upwards allowing us to focus on customer payments and maintain a smooth cash flow.

Ilona Baughan Finance Director, Westaway Sausages

The business’ consistent growth, supported by Invoice Finance, has helped it handle the growing sales volumes without feeling overwhelmed.

Charles agrees that the availability of financing through Lloyds has enabled them to “pursue significant opportunities with purchasers” while also helping to bridge the gap between payment terms with suppliers and customers, particularly in situations where larger customers can demand longer payment terms.

Built on sustainability

Taste of the West - Sustainability Champion 2024

This efficiency is helping the business deliver sustainable outcomes, too. Charles’ long-held passion for sustainability has led to the business winning the Taste of the West Sustainability Champion Award in 2024, for the second year running. 

He says: “I am lucky enough to live in a fabulous part of the country in Devon and I once found plastic waste on the beach left behind from a beach barbecue; this was a plastic tray exactly the same as the plastic trays we were using to tray our sausages. This shocked me and prompted us to challenge the market and find a way to reduce the use of plastic in our business.

After much experimentation we chose to transition to compostable materials and developed a compostable cardboard tray for our sausages. We were the sole producer in the UK to do so at the time. Not stopping there, we are now exploring the development of a local fibre made from elephant grass as a sustainable alternative to wood fibre for our trays.” 

 

This efficiency is helping the business deliver sustainable outcomes, too. Charles’ long-held passion for sustainability has led to the business winning the Taste of the West Sustainability Champion Award in 2024, for the second year running. 

He says: “I am lucky enough to live in a fabulous part of the country in Devon and I once found plastic waste on the beach left behind from a beach barbecue; this was a plastic tray exactly the same as the plastic trays we were using to tray our sausages. This shocked me and prompted us to challenge the market and find a way to reduce the use of plastic in our business.

After much experimentation we chose to transition to compostable materials and developed a compostable cardboard tray for our sausages. We were the sole producer in the UK to do so at the time. Not stopping there, we are now exploring the development of a local fibre made from elephant grass as a sustainable alternative to wood fibre for our trays.” 

 

Charles emphasises the importance of continuous innovation and collaboration when it comes to finding sustainable solutions – and how having cash flow available has allowed him to make sustainable investments promptly and proactively. 

Over the last three years, they have invested around £500,000  in research and interventions to help Westaway become more sustainable – virtually eliminating the use of plastic throughout the process.

Now, all the fresh retail and food services sausages, and most frozen sausages are packed in compostable card trays, sleeves, bags and boxes. Even the film covering retail packs are certified compostable. 

 
Westaways sausages in sustainable packaging

Charles emphasises the importance of continuous innovation and collaboration when it comes to finding sustainable solutions – and how having cash flow available has allowed him to make sustainable investments promptly and proactively. 

Over the last three years, they have invested around £500,000  in research and interventions to help Westaway become more sustainable – virtually eliminating the use of plastic throughout the process.

Now, all the fresh retail and food services sausages, and most frozen sausages are packed in compostable card trays, sleeves, bags and boxes. Even the film covering retail packs are certified compostable. 

Increasing productivity

Geoff Hunt, Client Manager at Lloyds, expresses admiration for the passion and commitment demonstrated by the Baughans over time.

Charles and Ilona have shown the importance of maintaining strong relationships with suppliers, which includes making timely payments. I look forward to helping them both achieve their ambition in the years to come.

Geoff Hunt Client Manager, Lloyds

Meanwhile, driving value and further efficiency into Westaway Sausages' operations is high on the agenda. Charles mentions their recent investment in artificial intelligence via augmented machines has doubled the productivity in sales per employee driven further efficiency in their productivity.

Despite not having a dedicated sales team, there is an increasing awareness of and demand for their pioneering approach on sustainability. This is resulting in a very healthy sales pipeline in all sectors and the company is looking forward to developing new partnerships and continuing to work with Lloyds on their journey.

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Invoice Finance facilities may be provided by one or more of Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance Limited, Lloyds Bank plc and Bank of Scotland plc. Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance Limited. Registered in England & Wales no. 733011. Registered office: No.1, Brookhill Way, Banbury OX16 3EL. Bank of Scotland plc. Registered in Scotland No.SC327000.  Registered Office: The Mound, Edinburgh EH1 1YZ. Bank of Scotland plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under registration no. 169628.