16 October 2014 09:50 am Views - 1899
A joint venture of British and Sri Lankan origin, Norfolk Foods offers quality meat, fish, poultry and vegetarian products. Established in October 1994, the company has catered to the discerning epicurean and offers over 150 products.
The company was founded by Mohamed Ziauddin, who had the patronage and support of the UK-based Bernard Matthews Farm in Norfolk, where Ziauddin had worked as a Director previous to his entrepreneurial venture. The inspiration for the company’s name is a tribute to Bernard Matthews. Bernard Matthews and Bairaha partnered the company until Managing Director Mohamed Ziauddin decided to exit his partnership with Bairaha, at which point, Bernard Matthews assigned their shares to him as well.
Norfolk Foods was founded upon Ziauddin’s desire to return to his mother country after nearly three decades in the United Kingdom. Initially the adjustment from the working atmosphere in the UK to that of Sri Lanka and the lack of networking posed challenges to the company. However, with perseverance and the support of his family and staff among which 30 members have been serving in the company since its inception, Ziauddin has managed to develop the company into a recognized and firmly established organisation in Sri Lanka.
The food products at Norfolk Foods are produced using modern technology at a hygienic, HACCP and ISO 22000-approved plant. Furthermore, all Norfolk products are Halal certified. Norfolk Foods supply safe, wholesome products free of artificial preservatives, artificial colouring or flavours and MSG. The products, assures the Managing Director, can be given by mothers to their children with the assurance that the food would be healthy and quality-assured products.
Norfolk offers a range of meats, kebabs, prepared foods and breaded items to the market. While the company caters to the retail sector, its main focus remains with the star-class hotel and resort sector as well as international food franchises and bakeries around the island. The market leadership in the HORECA (hotels, restaurants and catering establishments) sector is owned by Norfolk Foods as it offers safe premium food products to its customers.
The company’s success in supplying quality food products consistently is beneficial not only to the company itself but also the country as a whole. With the company supplying food products to leading international food franchises within the country, the importation of meat and other food products is gradually decreasing. The local farmers will benefit from this import substitution.
The Norfolk brand Crescent has been in the market for a long time and with the success gained in the HORECA sector, the company has expanded to the local retail sector as well. The company offers a range of food products including meatballs and sausages to the health-conscious customer and their products are available through Arpico, Cargills, Laugfs and Keels Supercentre outlets.
Norfolk Foods has a state-of-the-art, modern frozen food manufacturing facility in Sri Lanka which include blast freezing, cold rooms and an integrated production process. The company makes use of innovative and sophisticated technology found in Europe, the United States and the Far East. The most distinguish feature in the plant is the use of quick freezing technology with spiral freezing. Norfolk Foods is the only company in Sri Lanka where this technology is available. The technology leads to efficiency and quality products with minimal handling.
With the guidance, expertise and experience of Ziauddin, a Food Specialist trained in the UK, and a team of highly qualified food technologists and chefs, Norfolk Foods offers a variety of food products to the discerning customer.
The company’s partnership with Expolanka Holdings PLC has enabled Ziauddin to further develop his business.
In the breaded range, the company offers subtly spiced Kievs, golden drumlets and chicken fingers. In their cold cut range, the smoked peppered beef, smoked chicken galantine, chicken/beef/ham blocks and slices and other products are offered. The company also caters to other ranges of food products including savoury range, Italian range, smoked delicacies, customized specialties, sausage and breakfast grill, burgers and meatballs, kebabas, satayas and yakitoki.
The Norfolk Crescent outlet at 16, Sellamuttu Avenue, Colombo 3, facing the Marine Drive offers an extensive range of delicacies. The outlet is open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily except on Poya holidays.
“Don’t give up on your dreams. Work towards the end, and you’ll win,” imparts Ziauddin, speaking from his experience in starting up a company 20 years ago, which has now become a premier brand for Sri Lankan food enthusiasts.