In 1965, Lionel Hitchen, with twenty years experience of the essential oils industry, established LIONEL HITCHEN (ESSENTIAL OILS) LIMITED to manufacture concentrated citrus oils.

Over the years the business has achieved a strong growth pattern both in volume of citrus oils and by diversification into the manufacture of oleoresins and flavours.

From the beginning the Company’s excellent reputation has been based upon:

• continuity and integrity; these are critical factors in this industry, and the company’s clients are totally assured of both
• production of quality products
• close collaboration with clients to manufacture to their specifications in complete confidence
• development of new products to meet the needs of an ever-changing market

“Essential oils” are natural oils extracted from plants or fruits by either cold pressing or steam distillation at origin. The company further processes these oils by cleaning, fractionating, concentrating and blending to create unique natural blends or flavours 100% from source, just as nature intended.

We offer an extensive portfolio of quality essential oils, specialising in all Peppermint, Spearmint, Citrus, Aniseed, Eucalyptus, Spice and Herbs, which are individually sourced by a team of professionals from the world’s best origins.

New supplier development: advice and practical ways to market for overseas and domestic processors.
Market development and penetration: taking innovative products to market in a considered, orderly and cost effective fashion.
New product development: provision of immediate and effective practical advice for NPD colleagues supported by access to representative samples and data sheets for quick turnaround.
Technical support from experienced people.
Logistical support to maximise the delivery load and minimise the cost and environmental impact.
Competitive, sensible and strategic options without having always to compromise on quality.
Just in time deliveries in the currency of your choice.
Extra eyes and ears for your Sales and Purchasing departments who will solve problems for you in the most painless & practical of fashions.

JC Dudley is a member of Sedex, the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange. Sedex provides member companies with a secure web-based platform for storing and sharing information on four key pillars: health and safety, labour standards, business integrity and the environment.

We invest heavily in marketing to raise awareness of these super-ingredients, which are often unknown in the Western world, and to educate consumers and the trade about their  health benefits. We sell them as organic superfood powders and raw energy bars in health and beauty stores around the world. By doing this, we are creating global markets for the products, which we can then plug the producers directly into via our smallholder supply chain.

Unlike other companies who operate at arms-length from producers, Aduna is run by people who enjoy and have in-depth experience of working directly with communities. This enables us to ensure quality standards and ensure that producers are paid a fair price for their goods.

In addition to our head office in Sutton Scotney, Hampshire, we have two manufacturing sites in Woodbury, Devon and Corwen, North Wales employing over 60 people.

We also supply over 5000 metric tonnes of Organic Ingredients to food & drink manufacturers in the UK.

3V aims to grow its business through acquisition and organic growth to create a leading group of companies in the Natural, Free From, Fairtrade and Organic food & drink markets.

The Wine trade has increasingly discovered that we are able to supply many essential items that can help them in many aspects of running their businesses, in particular our range of Restaurant Diaries, Visitor Books and Hotel Planners.

We have become a prime source of supply of corporate gifts and corporate incentives (embossed with their Company Logo for large quantities). A wine accessory makes an ideal business gift or retirement present come leaving present.

We offer our customers the complete supply chain package from the field to final product, using our technical skills, logistics and market knowledge to give you the best possible service.