Latest news with #NationalFoods
Business Recorder
15-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Second edition of Foodpreneur Programme launched
LAHORE: National Foods Limited, in collaboration with Master Class Pakistan, has launched the second edition of the National Foodpreneur Programme — a transformative initiative designed to empower aspiring chefs through internationally recognised culinary certification. Building on the success of its inaugural cohort, National Foodpreneur 2.0 will welcome 20 students, selected based on merit and eligibility criteria, for an immersive training experience culminating in the Certificate in Culinary Artistry (CICA) - an internationally recognized qualification, said a company announcement here on Monday. The programme aims to provide comprehensive skill development training, leading to enhanced opportunities for employment or self-employment, while contributing to empowerment and national development. 'National Foodpreneur is about the love of good, healthy food,' said Zahid Majeed, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, National Foods Limited. 'As a leader in food tradition, National Foods preserves and continues to evolve its proud culinary heritage. With a rich legacy of over 50 years, National Foods continues with the vision of creating food that enriches the lives of people everywhere - with excellence, emphasizing on nutrition and hygiene, and empowering aspiring chefs, especially women. Building on a successful pilot, National Foodpreneur 2.0 solidifies our commitment to socioeconomic uplift and community development.' The first cohort saw a remarkable participation of females, with fifteen out of nineteen students being female, a testament to the growing interest and representation of females in the culinary and hospitality sector, creating inclusive career pathways. Six of the graduates are running small businesses as home chefs two are presently working at NFL, while five graduates are working as interns at reputable organizations, popular restaurants, and hotel chains in Pakistan. As part of its commitment to inclusion and accessibility, National Foods will award full scholarships to five deserving students out of the twenty to promote equal opportunities for professional growth in the food and hospitality industry. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
01-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
How National Foods is balancing tradition with modernity
Since its establishment in 1970, National Foods Limited (NFL) has maintained its legacy as one of the top food companies in Pakistan. In a bid to stay ahead of the competition, both locally and globally, the organization remains committed to research, innovation, technology and sustainable business practices. The food is now becoming more consumer centric, introducing new products with a particular focus on rapidly evolving consumer demographics and changes in their food preferences. Hasan Sarwat, Chief Operating Officer Pakistan at National Foods, elaborated how NFL is moving ahead in a growingly competitive world. In an exclusive podcast with The Express Tribune hosted by Erum Shaikh, he gave insights into the operational excellence, strategic marketing approaches, and consumer-centric practices leading the future of company. Hasan explained that at NFL, the human resources remain at the heart of all operations. NFL, he said, is fostering an inclusive culture to drive maximum potential out of its company and brands. 'Our operational excellence is about collaboration, coordination, and co-creation among all functions, he said, adding that NFL has nourished an organizational culture wherein every voice is heard. Adapting to Changing Consumer Needs National Foods Limited is adapting to the changing demographics of Pakistan's consumer market. According to Hasan Sarwat, the company's legacy as a spice company is strong, but it needs to evolve to meet the demands of the younger generation. "Today, 60% of Pakistan's population is born after 1996, making them Gen Z and Gen Alpha. These young individuals think differently, make informed decisions, and have their own viewpoints, for whom we have launched new products, such as National Drizz'l, a range of sauces that resonate with the younger audience. Balancing Tradition and Modernity National Foods Limited is navigating the delicate balance between tradition and modernity as it evolves to meet changing consumer needs. According to the COO Pakistan, the company remains strongly entrenched in its legacy while becoming more contemporary. "To minimize friction, we're taking gradual steps," Hasan said. "We've relaunched our Recipe Mixes' packaging to make it more contemporary and colorful, and we're targeting a younger audience." Embracing Data Analytics, AI and Digital Transformation National Foods Limited is also leveraging data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize its supply chain operations and market trends. COO Pakistan Hasan Sarwat disclosed that the company has started using AI in certain areas, such as measuring out-of-stock levels on store shelves. The company uses technology to get real-time data on distributor sales and warehousing. "We're trying to keep pace and introduce new tools to modernize our operations," Hasan said, adding that NFL is also leveraging technology to enhance its manufacturing, quality control, and distribution processes, while data is also being used to homogenize its processes, reducing inconsistencies and improving product quality. The company has already introduced tools like Scada in its Faisalabad plant to standardize processes, such as ketchup production. Talent Pool to Meet Industry Needs National Foods Limited is taking a proactive approach to talent development, recognizing the decline in net ready talent available in the country. According to Hasan Sarwat, the company has a two-pronged approach to developing its own talent pool. "We're hiring for potential, not just for a specific role," Hasan said. "We provide our employees with a range of experiences, exposing them to different functions and roles, which helps them grow and develop their skills." National Foods also offers management training programs to onboard fresh talent and groom them for future leadership roles. How National Foods is Future-Proofing Itself National Foods Limited is taking steps to future-proof itself amidst Pakistan's volatile economic, geopolitical, and climate landscape. According to Hasan Sarwat, the company has realized the importance of creating a multisourcing supply chain strategy to maintain sustainability. "We need to rely more on indigenous sourcing and less on international sourcing," Hasan said. "We've been successful in developing local supply chains for raw materials like starches, flavors, and gums." By adopting this approach, we have reduced dependence on international sourcing, ensuring supply chain sustainability, the COO Pakistan said. Sustainability in Operations National Foods Limited is also prioritizing sustainability through effective waste management and energy efficiency. According to Hasan Sarwat, the company started working on sustainability initiatives almost four to five years ago. One notable example is the company's Recipe Mixes' packaging change, which reduced paper usage by 25% and carbon footprint by 17-20%. National Foods is also exploring ways to reduce pack sizes and ink consumption during the printing process. Plans for International Expansion National Foods Limited is eyeing international expansion, particularly in markets like the GCC, North America, Europe, and Australia. According to Hasan Sarwat, the company currently exports around $22 million worth of products globally and aims to increase it significantly over the next five years. "We see promising prospects in international markets, particularly among new generations who want to fuse Asian and Pakistani flavors with their own cultural preferences," Hasan said. Customer Feedback at the Heart of Innovation National Foods Limited has made customer feedback a crucial part of its innovation process, with a focus on becoming a consumer-centric organization. According to Hasan Sarwat, every function within the company is encouraged to think about how they can add value to the consumer experience. To achieve this, National Foods conducts focus groups with consumers and involves stakeholders from across the organization to gain insights into consumer behavior and preferences. The company also invests heavily in research to understand changing consumption trends and consumer thinking. One notable example of the success of this approach is the launch of Crushed Pickle, a product that was developed based on consumer insights. The product has been a hit not only in Pakistan but also globally, with National Foods experiencing significant success in international markets. "Customer-driven innovation takes time and may not always be successful," Hasan said. "But we're committed to continuing to listen to our customers and develop products that meet their needs."
Express Tribune
27-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
PSX faces profit-taking after two days of gains
Listen to article Stocks came under selling pressure at the Pakistan bourse on Thursday as the benchmark KSE-100 index gave up early gains and closed with a drop of over 700 points amid profit-taking. At the commencement of trading, the market extended its healthy momentum of the past two days, hitting intra-day high at 123,418 within the very first hour. However, profit-taking emerged soon afterwards, which gradually took the index to intra-day low of 122,142 before the end of trading. "Stocks closed under pressure amid economic uncertainty ahead of the outcome of Pakistan-US reciprocal tariff talks to avoid potential 29% tariffs on exports," said Arif Habib Corp MD Ahsan Mehanti. Uncertainty about federal cabinet's approval of the revised Finance Bill 2025, along with concerns over tax collection targets and expanded powers for taxmen, which could affect industries, fuelled the bearish close, he added. At the end of trading, the KSE-100 index settled at 122,046.46, down 715.18 points, or 0.58%. Early gains were extended up to 123,418 before the market came off highs to close 0.58% lower day-on-day at 122,046, Arif Habib Limited (AHL) wrote in its daily report. On KSE-100, 71 stocks declined and only 27 advanced, reflecting a broadly negative sentiment. Engro Holdings (+2.22%), National Foods (+8.07%) and Pakistan Petroleum (+0.79%) were the top contributors to index gains. On the other hand, Bank AL Habib (-2.84%), Lucky Cement (-1.86%) and HBL (-2.59%) were the major drags, it said. AHL pointed out that the Supreme Court granted relief to the cement sector by suspending the Lahore High Court's directive that required Punjab-based manufacturers to pay 6% of the ex-factory price in royalty on limestone. Apart from that, The Organic Meat Company (+5.64%) announced plans to export beef casings to Europe, a significant move seen by investors as a step towards diversification and growth. "Heading into last session of the week, the KSE-100 is up 1.69%," AHL said and anticipated that 120k would continue as the support level and a base for push towards 130k. Topline Securities reported that after two consecutive sessions of strong gains, the local bourse witnessed a round of profit-taking, driven by fiscal year-end considerations and short-term portfolio rebalancing. The benchmark index saw a volatile ride, climbing as high as 656 points before slipping to the low of 715 points. It settled at 122,046, reflecting a cautious investor mood as the quarter was drawing to a close. Engro Holdings, National Foods, Pakistan Petroleum and Tariq Glass Industries provided the biggest support, adding 228 points to the index. Meanwhile, Bank AL Habib, Lucky Cement, HBL, Pakistan Services and Systems Limited dragged the index down by 407 points, it said. KTrade Securities observed that the PSX showed signs of buyers' exhaustion as investors booked profits following a recent rally driven by the US-brokered ceasefire between Iran and Israel. Selling pressure was concentrated in banking, cement and technology sectors and market sentiment remained cautiously optimistic, contingent on the ceasefire's sustainability, it mentioned. JS Global analyst Mubashir Anis Naviwala, in his review, wrote that the market opened on a positive note, touching intra-day high of 123,418 early in the session. However, broad-based profit-taking set in after two strong bullish days, which dragged the index into the red. Naviwala saw a positive near-term outlook as dips may offer attractive entry opportunities. Overall trading volumes increased to 758.5 million shares compared with Wednesday's tally of 749.8 million. The value of shares traded was Rs30 billion. Shares of 473 companies were traded. Of these, 200 stocks closed higher, 237 fell and 36 remained unchanged. Pakistan International Bulk Terminal was the volume leader with trading in 37.5 million shares, losing Rs0.06 to close at Rs8.52. It was followed by WorldCall Telecom with 33.3 million shares, falling Rs0.04 to close at Rs1.45 and Pervez Ahmed Consultancy with 33 million shares, gaining Rs0.25 to close at Rs3.29. Foreign investors sold shares worth Rs967 million, the National Clearing Company reported.
Express Tribune
29-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
National Foods Limited supports critical conversations at Pakistan Conference 2025 at Harvard
Listen to article Striving to become a knowledge-based economy should be a priority for Pakistan, but it requires more than just investment; it demands a shift in mindset, and a commitment to innovation.' Mr. Abrar Hasan, Global CEO of National Foods Limited (NFL), stated this at the Pakistan Conference 2025 at Harvard in Cambridge, USA. Mr. Abrar stated that this transformation is not easy, but embracing this change will be key to driving sustainable growth and global competitiveness. He said that the NFL has witnessed firsthand how strategic planning and innovation drive industry growth. 'These strategic initiatives have enabled us to bring the rich culinary heritage of Pakistan to tables across the world, redefining how our cuisines are experienced globally,' he added. NFL is one of the main sponsors and leading Pakistani companies at this landmark global forum, which is a student-led initiative aimed at serving as a transformative platform for dialogue. Mr. Abrar concluded that National Foods takes pride in supporting this conference, which has highlighted the opportunities and challenges for Pakistan's economy, and how complexities can be navigated to foster economic resilience. Mr. Muhammad Hadi, Chair of Pakistan Conference 2025 at Harvard, acknowledged NFL's contribution, stating, 'We are proud to have National Foods Limited as a key partner for the first-ever Pakistan Conference 2025 at Harvard. We hope this is the beginning of a great journey. National Foods' presence here is more than a partnership; their commitment to bridging cultures through cuisine and fusion aligns with the essence of this conference.'
