Experienced exporters of fresh produce

With excellent quality and a superb reputation as an international produce distributor, Everest Enterprises Ltd. has created a thriving business throughout its 22 years in existence. With humble beginnings, Everest was incorporated in 1988 and has grown to become one of the top five vegetable exporters in Kenya.

By 1990 Everest was a £500,000 a year company. Today, it has expanded exponentially into an £11.6 million company exporting four-million kilos of produce annually.

History

When the company started in 1988, it operated from a few different locations and exported by way of giving the importer the produce in the same condition and packaging that it was received from farmers. However, as the horticulture industry in Kenya expanded and importing to places like Europe became a viable option, this strategy became void and Everest believed it necessary to change gears. “It therefore became necessary to identify and invest in production systems that would give our customers confidence in all aspects of ‘due diligence’. The company found it strategically important to have more control of growing, production, packing and distribution of its products,” states the company’s website.

In 1992, Everest bought a one hectare plot in Embakasi, Nairobi, in which it invested in a modern pack house which catered to customers distinct requirements. Since the packhouse was commissioned in 1994, Everest has focused on having full control over its products including transportation, processing, growing, distribution and customer specifications. Now the company imports around the world with a strong base in the U.K. and the rest of Europe.

Products

Everest produces a number of fresh fruits and vegetables including runner beans, baby carrots, broccoli, baby corn, passion fruit and chives to name a few. All of its high quality produce is grown in Kenya. John Karuga, CEO of Everest says, “We grow them within Kenya. We have our growing base in our own farm and also we have contracted farmers.”

To date, the most successful items that they have grown is broccoli and runner beans, being popular vegetables found on supermarket shelves. The company exports to a number of big-name super market chains around the world. Karuga says, “We sell our goods worldwide. In the U.K. we are the biggest supplier to ASDA in the U.K. from Kenya. We also sell to Ireland, Sweden, Holland, Hong Kong and within Africa and South Africa.”

Company standouts and growth

Everest prides itself on being a Kenyan company that is indigenous owned and has a large knowledge base about Kenya. The quality of its produce stands for itself as top notch and extremely fresh. “We have got our own in house farms and we are extremely quality driven. We have highly professional man power and great customers who we sell to.”

An important aspect of the company is the exportation worldwide. Capitalizing on this ideology, Everest has made agreements with many airlines that ensure it has cargo space to export its outgoing produce. “We have what we call block space agreements with airlines. We guarantee them products and they guarantee us airspace. We work with different airlines including Kenyan Airways, KLM, and we have Emirates to the UK via Dubai.”

In its planning of cost effective and safe transportation, Everest has a fleet of state-of-the-art refrigerated trucks which ensure maintenance and preservation of its fresh produce.

Health and safety and staff

The company takes the environment seriously and has “a highly qualified team who looks at environmental issues and pesticide issues,” says Karuga. The staff of Everest is the core of the company, which promotes fair working practices and complies fully with the employment laws of Kenya.  According to the company’s website: “Everest observes Ethical business practices and continuously strives to improve labour practices in line with international standards by ensuring no forced or bonded labour, no child labour, freedom of association, safe and hygienic working conditions, fair and acceptable living wages, acceptable working hours, no discrimination on sex/ race, and no harsh/abusive language to employees or mistreatment.”

Social responsibility is also significant within the company, with Karuga himself being the chairman for a school in Kenya. The company supports the school and supports other schools near its farms. Being a small company has also ensured the best possible customer service and employee support. “We are not very big. We have good customers, good people, motivated employees and we know Kenya well,” says Karuga. “We employ top local managers to look after our farms and operations.”

Everest is a believer in fresh produce and it continuously strives for excellence with its diverse vegetable and fruit range that is exported worldwide. The company has already seen an immense amount of growth and looking at its fruitful past will only grow more with its partnerships with airlines and exportation to big-name grocers.

www.everest.co.ke

Add to: del.icio.us | Digg | NewsVine | Mixx | FaceBook | Twitter