Bernard Matthews Foods Ltd. began in 1950 with 12 turkey eggs and an incubator in the heart of Norfolk, UK. Although the company's headquarters are still based there, it's business activities stretch into Europe, North America and New Zealand. The growth of Europe's largest integrated turkey producer has arisen from their policy of efficient production and marketing of innovative products. The company produces 13 million turkeys worldwide and production is concentrated in East Anglia, UK; in Germany where the company owns Bartsch, a well-known cooked meats manufacturer; in Hungary where they own SaGa, the leading poultry producer and in New Zealand where they prepare 1.2 million lambs each year. They now employ over 5500 personnel worldwide and 3400 of these are local people to Norfolk, UK.

Bernard Matthews holds the record for the world's largest turkey farm and in an attempt to gain another world record is sponsoring a boat which has been specifically designed to break the speedsailing record. Named "Bootiful" after the company's well-known catch-phrase, the boat is expected to reach speeds in excess of 50 knots. The current record is held by the Yellow Pages "Endeavour" with 46 knots.

"Speedsailing is one of the most exciting water sports in existence and I believe we have the best team to push it to its limits," says Bernard Matthews. "I really want to see this record broken because, not only is the team from Norfolk, but the record attempt will take place just off the coast of Norfolk - a double for the county."

"We've been breaking barriers in turkey production and product innovation for years, so we are used to getting ahead of the competition." Says Bernard Matthews. "Sailing is one the fastest growing family sports in the UK and, as Bernard Matthews brands have such huge family appeal, we see this sponsorship as the perfect partnership, bringing our key brand values of innovation and excitement to the fore."

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