It all began in 1971, when the company was set up as a packer and processor of edible oils, providing sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, corn oil, vegetable oil, pomace oil and the like to its esteemed clientele from its original base in Runcorn, Cheshire.
In 2003 the S.O.P team moved its headquarters to a larger establishment in Hertfordshire in order to expand its offering considerably; realising the potential they had for further growth, they made the informed decision to begin importing and distributing a wide range of Asian and oriental foods. Keeping the Cheshire premises as its packing and processing plant, the company has developed rapidly over time and now employs over 40 members of staff over its two sites.
The highly experienced wholesaler supplies a vast range of authentic products; its wide-reaching inventory features over 500 different products directly sourced from countries such as Vietnam, China, India and Malaysia. Providing consumer products and ingredients, the selection includes chutneys, sauces, spices, pastes, butter ghee, chilli/sesame oils, cooking wines & spirits, food colourings, kernels, marinades, flours & starch, fruit juices, flavoured teas, soy milk/sauces, pickles, tinned fish, coconut products, lemon products and cookies. Other popular items include fortune rolls, fruits, vegetables, noodles & vermicelli, pappadoms, prawn crackers, rice, Thai products and disposables & non-foods.
“In addition to our diverse portfolio of authentic Asian and oriental products available, we are also able to meet the strict requirements for food manufacturers for ingredients,” commented Dion Saayman, Marketing Manager at S.O.P. “This can be successfully achieved because we have our own technical department who work in-house to ensure all of our products reach the expected quality standards.
“Our delivery service is also one of our main strengths as an importer; we have our own contracted haulage network set up that allows us to deliver our goods throughout the UK and Europe. We have the capability to export to smaller retailers as well as the multinationals with a quick turnaround – sometimes we can make deliveries within just 3-4 days of the orders being issued!”
The S.O.P. group have an enriched knowledge in cultural food and distribution, making them refined experts in the food manufacturing and exportation markets. These specialties ensure that the team have the capability to source the finest quality products from approved suppliers across the Far East, supplying stock from many well respected brands (such as AROY-D, Avebe, Chang, Chaokoh, Erawan, Farmer Brand, Flying Goose, Foo Lung Ching Kee, Golden Orchid, Hong Kong, Kissan, Kong Moon, Kingsfords, Knorr, 168 Brand, Lee Kum Kee, Lungkow, Meechun, Nan Yang, OK, Pun Chun, Red Drago, Roquette, Triton, TTWMB and Wai Wai).
The business also incorporates its own brands into the selection; supplying its individual variety of SOP Oils as well as other exclusive names such as Khanum, Khyber, Golden Swan and Golden Orchid. It also prides itself on having secured sole distribution of Vitasoy, Squid Brand Fish Sauce and Delicoco Coconut chunks; popular items that contribute to the ongoing success of S.O.P. and its solid reputation for providing quality, culturally-diverse products.
“At the moment we do place a heavy focus on the provision of ingredients, so we are considering diversifying even further by branching out into the ethnic snack market,” Dion continued. “We have plans to increase our share of this sector by expanding our food range through the introduction of new products from Korea. One particular example is YogiYo range, Korean-inspired sauces and marinades that is now available to purchase through S.O.P.
“As we supply to ethnic outlets, this addition just made sense, and it is a new venture that we are really enthusiastic about – the brand has even appeared on popular TV programme Dragon’s Den! Other developments include the recent introduction of the famed Delicoco Coconut chunks, which have previously won a Great Taste Award, and some exciting consumer competitions coming up in February which will mark the beginning of the Chinese New Year celebrations whilst helping to promote our Vitasoy products.”
S.O.P.’s products can be purchased online (also available on Amazon) and they can also be found in ethnic aisles in supermarkets such as Sainsbury’s and Tesco (as well as through other retailers and ethnic wholesalers). Delivering predominantly to retailers, cash & carry’s and food manufacturers, its client base includes many big names (such as Wing Yip, Hoo Hing, H-Mart, Korea Foods and Saka).
For more information on this widespread range of products, feel free to get in touch with the S.O.P. team today using the contact details supplied below. In addition, you can access the latest updates with the consumer competitions and other happenings by following the company on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
Tel: 01992 584 466
Email: info@sopinternational.com
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