Saurabh Saxena, President & Executive Director, Sumeru
Sumeru, a leading player in India’s frozen food industry, has carved a niche for itself through its innovative approach and commitment to delivering authentic, nutritious, and convenient food solutions. From its origins as a clearing and forwarding agent for Hindustan Lever Limited to becoming a trailblazer in the frozen food segment, Sumeru has continually adapted to evolving consumer demands. With its advanced technology, focus on sustainability, and a diverse range of products catering to regional tastes, the brand has emerged as a household name. In a conversation with NUFFOODS Spectrum, Sumeru’s President and Executive Director Saurabh Saxena shares insights into the journey, challenges, and future plans for both domestic and international markets, offering a closer look at its strategies for staying ahead in a competitive industry. Edited excerpts;
Let us know more about the inception of Sumeru?
We do not have any specific founders as Innovative Foods Limited was started as a clearing and forwarding agent for Hindustan Lever Limited’s ice-cream business. From 1989 onwards, the company was promoted by Amalgam Foods Ltd (AFL) in association with multinationals like Mitsubishi Corporation, Saudi Fisheries Company, Gourmet Club Corp, Ristic GmbH, etc. In the late 90s, the concept of frozen foods business in domestic retail came up. That was the time the promoters were aggressive in seafood exports through value-added frozen seafood in the US and the EU markets. It was felt that the retail trends would follow in India. Hence, one unit in Kochi was dedicated to domestic business. We started with the brand named ‘Snowboy’, but this had trademark issues. So, we switched to Sumeru, which is a mythological mountain standing at the centre of four continents.
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