A Welsh food wholesaler smashed expectations with record crowds and more than \u00a33 million in sales at its flagship expo.<\/p>\n
Thousands of buyers and suppliers from across the UK descended on Venue Cymru in Llandudno for Harlech Foodservice\u2019s annual two-day event.<\/p>\n
Around 2,500 registrations were recorded with more than 1,200 businesses attending and 117 suppliers exhibiting \u2013 from global food giants to top Welsh producers.<\/p>\n
The bumper turnout comes as Harlech Foodservice – which has sites in Cricieth, Chester, Carmarthen, Aberbargoed and Telford –\u00a0 continues a period of rapid expansion, reporting sales growth of more than 30 per cent.<\/p>\n
Trade customers included buyers from the public and private healthcare and education sectors, along with the tourism and hospitality industry.<\/p>\n
Commercial Manager Chris Gregson said: \u201cThe expo more than exceeded all expectations, registrations for example were up by 45 per cent as far as customer and business coming here was concerned.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were thrilled to welcome customers from across Wales, the West Midlands and the North West of England, with more than 3,200 attending over the two days.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe expo is the season curtain-raiser for us in North Wales and sets our stall out for the entire summer.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt allows our customers to see that we have a deal for them, not just today, not just tomorrow, but for the entire summer season.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Chris, the success of the expo mirrored the successful growth and development of the business over the past 12 months.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cSince the last expo 12 months ago we have enjoyed further growth. We have become more streamlined and sales-focused, and performance-wise it has been astronomical.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn a time where things are tough in hospitality, it’s vital that we continue to find ways to support customers through new ranges, excellent service and competitive prices.\u201d<\/p>\n
The expo was also a chance to celebrate the firm\u2019s history and family-run roots.<\/p>\n
Chris added: \u201cThe key theme this year was the history of Harlech, going back to our roots, and the proud family-run ethos the company has with owners Andrew, Laura and Jonathan, the children of the founders Colin and Gill Foskett.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat really ties in with a lot of our suppliers who are family-run operations, and our heartland being within 30 or 40 miles of Cricieth.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of our suppliers will have known Colin and Gill and they appreciate and value Harlech\u2019s history and how it is growing.\u201d<\/p>\n
A new innovation this year was a special fresh fruit and vegetable hub at the centre of the exhibition hall to showcase that growing side of the business.<\/p>\n
Toby Foskett, a grandson of Harlech founders Colin and Gill Foskett, is category manager for fruit, vegetables and butchery and was kept busy talking to customers and suppliers.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cThis is a new category for Harlech and it adds to our range so we are able to offer a full basket to the customer.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means we can offer a total food service solution and having this here demonstrates the quality of the fruit and veg to our customers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means they can see the produce and touch it, we\u2019re proud of the quality and the quality of course is hugely important.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving face-to-face interaction adds to that personal touch we have at Harlech.\u201d<\/p>\n
Leading North Wales business Jones Village Bakery was again in attendance to support the expo.<\/p>\n
Baker Glen Simpson said: \u201cIt gives us a chance to showcase a lot of what we do, including pasties, pies, baps and loaves, we\u2019ve got a bit of everything this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is my 10th show and I have been at Village Bakery for 19 years so I am getting pretty good at baking and knowing my way around the expo.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is important that companies like Village Bakery comes to expos like this because it puts us out there, it gives options to potential customers and existing customers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a great celebration of the produce of Wales, it is good for Wales and good for local businesses and the promotion of local ingredients.\u201d<\/p>\n
Paul Coombes, business development manager at historic Welsh ice cream firm Sidoli\u2019s of Ebbw Vale, said the expo was a key opportunity to promote new ranges and the firm\u2019s partnership with Harlech Foodservice was supporting growth.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cThis is our second full year with Harlech Foodservice, we started off doing our ice cream sundaes and last year we listed our scooping ice cream.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe saw some really good growth last year and now we are going into season two with them.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlready this year we are getting some really good feedback from their sales team and we have been increasing our range.<\/p>\n
We have got our Ferrrari\u2019s Coffee ice cream, they are based down in Bridgend.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are doing a Henllan Bakery bara brith ice cream and we have amended our salted caramel now which is going to be made with Halen M\u00f4n sea salt.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith our partnership with Harlech we are just going from strength to strength really.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe footfall we get past the stand and the interaction we enjoy is just fantastic.\u201d<\/p>\n
The best of Welsh new produce was highlighted by Jon Watkin, commercial manager of Edwards – The Welsh Butcher, based at Conwy.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cThe expo is a great opportunity to show customers what is new, and remind them what is current.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have got brand new gluten-free sausage rolls for example, which is very new to the market and there is a big gap in the market for that.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have our Welsh lamb meatballs, they are new too, and we have a new three-ounce smash burger.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd from our standard range we have got our pork and Welsh leek sausage which has just won a Great British Food Award.\u201d<\/p>\n
South Caernarfon Creameries based near Pwllheli have been a keen supporter of Harlech\u2019s expo for many years and national account manager Ffion Davies said the showcase was a great way to engage with customers.<\/p>\n
She said this year the firm was promoting its salted Welsh butter in particular.<\/p>\n
Ffion said: \u201cWe are gauging interest, speaking to the buyers, giving samples out and we will be listing it with Harlech next month.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carmarthenshire firm Tregroes Waffles attended the expo to promote its range of products.<\/p>\n
Jo Eveleigh, sales director, said the firm, based near Llandysul, was formed 42 years ago when Dutchman Kees Huysman launched a business selling waffles.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cThe expo is about brand awareness for us, we are a big supporter of Harlech, they obviously buy our products and we have a great relationship.\u201d<\/p>\n