Food wholesaler to create 150 jobs, open new depot as part of £6m expansion plan

Harlech Foodservice, which already operates depots in Gwynedd, Chester and Merthyr Tydfil, is set to open the new depot in Carmarthen, South West Wales, which will create 15 jobs. Nick Sullivan, who has 30 years of experience in the food supply sector including 23 years with Bidfood, has been appointed as sales director for the region.

The firm continues the recruitment process for five field sales staff and nine new drivers to work in the area.

The new Carmarthen depot comes on the back of a successful three-year period for Harlech, which has boosted turnover from £32m to around £50, while also posting profits of more than £2m.

South West Wales was targeted by Harlech due to the growing demand from across the hospitality sector in the region.

Commenting on the plans, managing director David Cattrall said: “Harlech are disrupting the established way foodservice companies operate by changing the common practice of inflated list prices and increasing 'negotiated' prices without notice by offering transparent and competitive prices and excellent service to all our customers. As part of our Trust our Prices campaign, we also guarantee that the prices of around 200 lines are locked in for several months, rather than sneaking prices up without notice, after ‘negotiation’.​

“We understand how unpredictable trade can be for our customers so they can order up to 10pm, once their service has finished, and we deliver to premises the following day, up to six days a week, enabling chefs to plan their menus with confidence.”​

Meanwhile, the firm’s head of sales Chris Gregson elaborated on its goal to create jobs across Wales: “Having a base in Carmarthen is a key part of our £6 million growth plan which will create 150 jobs across the business and give us a strong presence across Wales.​

“We see South West Wales as very similar to our heartland in Gwynedd with a strong tourism and hospitality sector which we are very well set up to serve as well as education and health services which we are also experienced in catering for.​

“Harlech Foodservice is a proudly Welsh company and opening the depot in Carmarthen means we can now serve the whole of the nation with the same level of high quality service, allied to fantastic products at hugely competitive prices.”​

Finally, Sullivan explained his decision to join as regional sales director for the South West.

“I wanted to work for a Welsh food supplier and I see a major opportunity to expand in the region​,” Sullivan added.

“I like the family history behind Harlech and how focused they are on customer service. I see this as a fantastic opportunity to expand their market and to offer businesses in the region an alternative Welsh supplier.”​

In other news, Food Manufacture speaks to Kate Clawson, head of operations at Sleaford Quality Foods and winner of Factory Manager of the Year at the 2024 Food Manufacture Excellence Awards, about her passion for the food sector and the motivations behind her success​​.