In the spice industry, countless companies offer the same quality ingredients, but not all costs are equal. According to Steve Thomas, senior vice president of corporate branding for Gel Spice Co. LLC, his company can provide the best quality possible at affordable prices.
“We continue to offer the highest-quality products at economy prices,” Thomas explains. “[In] everything we do, we look at costs. If there is a new production method that would increase capacity and cut our costs, we’ll look into it.”
Gel Spice is a leader in the manufacturing and distribution of spices, seeds and baking ingredients. The family-owned company says it has emerged as an industry leader known for its tradition of superior quality and freshness.
The company has distribution throughout the entire United States, as well as export business to Africa, the Middle East, South America, and Asia.
The company produces spices not only for consumers, but also for the foodservice, bakery and industrial markets. Gel Spice serves the industrial sector – which includes ingredient distributors, food manufacturers and packers – with bulk herbs, seasonings, seeds and spices. These products include basil, black pepper, caraway seed, custom spice blends, oregano and poppy seeds.
Private Plans
Gel Spice has seen its private-label revenues grow steady over the last couple of years, and the industry is taking note of this part of its business, as well. The company recently earned the Gold Category Colonel Award from Private Label Buyer magazine after being voted as a leading supplier for private label by retailers in the United States.
Thomas is particularly proud of this honor as the company was recognized in the industry for their hard work and dedication to growing their private-label business.
‘Phenomenally Fast’
This aspect of Gel Spice’s private-label operations is growing so rapidly that the company purchased a new 250,000-square-foot distribution center for its private label needs. This new facility – purchased in 2012 – is located about a mile away from its headquarters in Bayonne, N.J.
“We’ve been growing our private label business phenomenally fast in the last several years,” Thomas says. “We picked up new customers as a result of that, and it helps increase our capacity. While we’re able to continue manufacturing at our existing facility, we’re able to store private label items in this new warehousing facility.”
According to Thomas, Gel Spice will continue to ride the wave of its private label business for the foreseeable future.
“Our vision is to continue to grow our private-label business,” he adds. “That is the main focus of our current development plans.”