Fine foods distributor RH Amar has increased its warehouse space 65% to 80,000 sq ft to accommodate the extra business generated by four new clients and growing sales with existing accounts.
Last year it added Bertolli, Del Monte, McCormick and Sacla' to its roster boosting its year-end sales 40% in a year many predicted fine foods would suffer.
"Eighteen months ago many people thought our sector would be in trouble, but the pendulum has swung in our favour; people stopped buying cars, opting for quality food instead," said chairman Henry Amar. "This space extension is by no means the only investment we are making."
Over the next 12 months the company plans to improve its IT capabilities and ramp up its recruitment. "Our existing 10-year-old IT system is being upgraded so we can run more sophisticated post-promotional analysis," said Amar. "We're also looking to appoint two new product managers, a national account manager and additional warehouse staff. Having trimmed headcount in the past, this is an indication of growth to come."
Driving NPD in its Cooks & Co brand was also high on the agenda. "Over the next two years we'll be investing time and money in exploiting the brand to the maximum," he added.
Seeking additional contracts was now low on the priority list. "We represent some very important brands and these will be our focus moving forward."
Last year it added Bertolli, Del Monte, McCormick and Sacla' to its roster boosting its year-end sales 40% in a year many predicted fine foods would suffer.
"Eighteen months ago many people thought our sector would be in trouble, but the pendulum has swung in our favour; people stopped buying cars, opting for quality food instead," said chairman Henry Amar. "This space extension is by no means the only investment we are making."
Over the next 12 months the company plans to improve its IT capabilities and ramp up its recruitment. "Our existing 10-year-old IT system is being upgraded so we can run more sophisticated post-promotional analysis," said Amar. "We're also looking to appoint two new product managers, a national account manager and additional warehouse staff. Having trimmed headcount in the past, this is an indication of growth to come."
Driving NPD in its Cooks & Co brand was also high on the agenda. "Over the next two years we'll be investing time and money in exploiting the brand to the maximum," he added.
Seeking additional contracts was now low on the priority list. "We represent some very important brands and these will be our focus moving forward."
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