Harlech Foodservice’s expo achieves record turnout and £3 million in sales

Harlech Foodservice achieved a record turnout and more than £3 million in sales at its flagship expo.

Toby Foskett at the fresh fruit and vegetable hub at the centre of the exhibition hall.

Thousands of buyers and suppliers from across the UK descended on Venue Cymru in Llandudno for the wholesaler’s annual two-day event.

Around 2,500 registrations were recorded, with more than 1,200 businesses attending and 117 suppliers exhibiting. Trade customers included buyers from the public and private healthcare and education sectors, along with the tourism and hospitality industry.

The bumper turnout comes as Harlech Foodservice – which has sites in Criccieth, Chester, Carmarthen, Aberbargoed and Telford – continues a period of rapid expansion, with sales growth of more than 30% year on year.

Commercial manager Chris Gregson said: “The expo more than exceeded all expectations: registrations, for example, were up by 45% as far as customers and businesses coming here was concerned. We were thrilled to welcome customers from across Wales, the West Midlands and the North West of England.

“The expo is the season curtain-raiser for us in North Wales and sets our stall out for the entire summer. It allows our customers to see that we have a deal for them, not just today, not just tomorrow, but for the entire summer season.”

Gregson added: “Since 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.

“In 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.”

The expo was also a chance to celebrate the firm’s history and family-run roots. Gregson explained: “The 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.

“That really ties in with a lot of our suppliers who are family-run operations, and our heartland being within 30 or 40 miles of Criccieth.

“A lot of our suppliers will have known Colin and Gill and they appreciate and value Harlech’s history and how it is growing.”

A new innovation at the expo this year was a fresh fruit and vegetable hub at the centre of the exhibition hall to showcase that growing side of the business.

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. He said: “This is a new category for Harlech and it adds to our range so we are able to offer a full basket to the customer.”