Kochi, Kerala-based Innovative Foods Ltd (IFL) has announced that it will expand output of frozen products by building a second factory in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. This will double capacity from 300 tons currently packed at its Kochi plant to 600 tons per month, thus paving the way for extended distribution to India’s second tier cities
Founded in 1989, the company has been a unit the India Equity Partners (IEP) private equity and venture capital fund for the past six years. It manufactures a wide line of frozen fare under the Sumeru brand name. Indian and Western-style vegetarian and non-vegetarian products sold in retail and foodservice markets run the gamut from shrimp and sausages to french fried potatoes, vegetable burgers, paranthas and samosas.
“The growing acceptance of frozen food in India has pushed us out of our seats to think of new products. Providing convenience and versatility to consumers has been one of the core pillars on which our product portfolio stands, and our aim has been to enable consumers create restaurant-like meals at home,” said Saurabh Kumar, vice president of sales and marketing.
A new assortment of parathas, dubbed Parathas 2.0, includes beetroot and jeera, turmeric and ajwain, methi and spinach and multi grain offerings.
“These are slightly difficult to make at home, so we believe they will have potential,” said Kumar.
In addition to serving the pan-India market, the company exports Sumeru Classiques, Wassup?! And 5 Senses retail products to a number of countries with significant ethnic Indian population. Among them are the USA, UK, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, Fiji and Mauritius.
