Our history
In 2017 our company celebrated 70 years of providing excellent service to the food service industry.
The story of SPL began in 1947 when Maurice Simon, my grandfather, started his first retail butchery business in Oldham. The business grew into a successful poultry wholesaler and was eventually incorporated in 1962.
Rapid growth and a series of acquisitions through the 1970’s and 80’s saw the company become packers, rice millers and importers of speciality ingredients, serving customers throughout the UK. Under the direction of my father Harold, Simon’s Poultry Ltd. transformed itself into an international commodity trading company, becoming SPL Foods Ltd in 1984.
The mid 1990’s saw the creation of the Authentic Noodle Company, a sister company to SPL, concentrating on the development and supply of branded and own label instant noodles to the UK retail market.
SPL today
Today SPL Foods Ltd provides the European retail and food service sectors with a reliable source of quality, authentic foods from around the world.
Our network of suppliers, growers, processors and manufacturers make SPL one of the UK’s most influential operators in the imported food supply chain. Based at our purpose built 30,000 square metre facility in Oldham, SPL Foods Ltd serves all sectors of the industry from supermarket chains and household names to public sector procurement and major food manufacturers.
This website is intended to introduce our company and products and to outline the services we offer. From our experience and expertise in new product development, to complete logistics solutions tailored to your needs. Our aim is to provide excellent products and outstanding levels of service through our commitment to strong relationships with our customers and continuous investment in our people and products.
directors
At home, my wife of 25 years Lecia always reminds me who the true power broker is and in the office my Co-Directors and senior Managers provide the loyalty, support and professionalism that drives me on to continually strive for excellence. On a personal note, Manchester City are “the only football team in Manchester” and the Godfather will always be the greatest movie ever made.
SPL is also the place I met my husband – Roger. If we’re not spending time renovating our home (affectionately known as the money pit), we are saving for our next trip to a far flung destination.
I have been a Manchester United season ticket holder for more years than I care to remember and, along with my wife Jen, also indulge our strong interest in horse racing. We currently have three, in partnerships, in training. Our ambition is to have a winner at York Races.
My hobbies include road cycling, gym and football – a sport that I have played at a semi-professional level. I support Liverpool FC as well as being a secret Blackpool FC fan! I have been married to Amanda since 2001 and we have 3 children, Ruby, Oliver and Florence.
Married with two sons; I’m a Manchester United season ticket holder, qualified football coach and keen (but hopeless) golfer.
Outside of work, my interests include horse riding and spending time with my family.
sales team
I joined SPL Foods Ltd after 13 years in the foodservice industry with Rickmers Reismuhle. I have been responsible for all aspects of running a foodservice company from order processing to accounts and from stock control to marketing. I am now in sales as an Account Manager for our Foodservice division which is a role that I find very rewarding. It’s nice to speak to my customers face to face after all these years.
In my spare time I enjoy going to concerts, mountain biking & being a volunteer Park Ranger for Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park. I’m also a plot holder & the Treasurer for my local allotments.
I particularly love being at the other end of the foodservice industry – eating in good restaurants.
I joined SPL Foods Ltd in May 2018 as Commercial Manager, responsible for SPL’s Key Foodservice Accounts. My career spans over 20 years in Foodservice, retail convenience and Industrial markets and I have a key understanding of high volume traded commodity goods in both branded and private label. I have held commercial roles with Fyffes plc, 3663, Petty Wood and Caterers Choice covering business development and National Account management.
When not working, I enjoy spending my spare time with my family and 3 dogs – a Working Cocker Spaniel, Springer Spaniel and a German Short Haired Pointer.
Much like the rest of the family, I am a season ticket holder for Manchester City. I enjoy travelling whenever possible and spending time with family and friends.
I like to challenge myself and enjoy competition, however working at SPL makes life easy. We all work together as a team and everyone is very helpful, resulting in a very friendly environment.
Away from SPL my main focus are my 3 lovely grandchildren who never cease to amaze me.
I enjoy spending my weekends with family and friends and also have a passion to travel and see the world as much as possible.
Accounts
Out of work I enjoy spending time with my husband and two daughters, going on family holidays and socialising with friends.
Outside of work, I love my holidays abroad, socialising with friends and spending quality time with my husband and family.
I started with SPL Food Ltd in 2018, joining the accounts team as a credit controller. I assist in keeping the sales ledger up to date and helping with customer queries. I thoroughly enjoy my job here and working with the friendly team.
purchasing / stock control
[/slide]I live locally in Middleton and when I am not in work I am spending my time with my friends and my 2 dogs!
QA / operations
I have been married since 1989 and have 2 children; a son who plays semi-professional football and a daughter who is a talented dancer. For my sins, I watch Manchester City whenever possible!
In my personal time, I enjoy watching most sports. Thanks to my family, I am a big football follower and support the best team in the world – Manchester City! I have been a season ticket holder for many years and have followed them up and down the country. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and taking care of all of them.
imports
Married with two children, I love holidays abroad and socialising with friends.
I began working for SPL Food Ltd in September 1997 as an apprentice, attending Oldham College one day a week. I completed 3 years study obtaining AAT NVQ Level 4 in Accounting, and a separate course on Sage Payroll. I was in the Accounts department for almost 8 years before having my first child at the end of 2004. When I returned to work I started my new journey in the Imports department which I enjoy very much. I assist with obtaining competitive freight rates and track all our imports from all over the world, ensuring goods are cleared by Customs and Port Health, and delivered within tight timescales. It can be quite demanding but I love the variety each day brings.
In my spare time I relish holidays with my husband and 2 children, and days out with extended family and friends. I also enjoy the cinema and eating out.