Bradford food manufacturer doubles export revenues

Regal Foods started as a family baking business providing a small range of South Asian products to Asian consumers in West Yorkshire via local convenience stores, before moving into small grocery retailers. 

In 2008, it began exporting to Europe and in 2019, it expanded its export operations into Northern America. 

Invest in facilties

The company said it has continued to invest in its facilities, establishing a number of manufacturing sites in Bradford, as well as a distribution centre and an online store. 

It also revealed that it has expanded to provide almost 400 different product lines under a number of brands, including its ‘Regal Foods’ and ‘Yorkshire Bakery’ brands, covering baked goods, confectionery and drinks products. 

The multi-million-pound turnover company now employs around 200 people and supplies over 3,000 small retail outlets as well as all of the large supermarket chains.

Humble beginnings

Faz Ali, group sales marketing director, said: “The business started from humble beginnings, serving Asian corner shops in Bradford, but our growth over the last 20 years has been phenomenal. We are immensely proud of what we have achieved, not only with the huge popularity of our ranges in Asian communities, but also reaching beyond this and taking our products to a diverse selection of markets within the UK and worldwide. “ ​

He added that exports have been vital to its success, which it predicts will continue. 

“I would encourage other Yorkshire business to be brave and explore the export opportunities, it does take careful planning and expert advice to mitigate the risks,”​ he added.