BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Enterprise  >  Open For Business  >  How RM50K Became RM24 Million: Gourmet Ingredients’ Story

How RM50K Became RM24 Million: Gourmet Ingredients’ Story

Leon Goh, Founder and CEO, Gourmet Ingredients

14-Nov-24 10:00

How RM50K Became RM24 Million: Gourmet Ingredients’ Story

“I wanted to create something out of nothing”. Starting with a relatively small RM50,000 investment, Leon Goh transformed a small soft-serve mix operation into Gourmet Ingredients, a multi-category manufacturer producing premix powders for beverages, soups, sauces, and more, that’s targeting RM100 million in annual revenue by 2029.

In this episode of Open For Business, we explore how Leon, founder and CEO of Gourmet Ingredients, built this premix powder powerhouse, now supplying F&B outlets nationwide and exporting to five ASEAN countries, as well as his ambitious plans to localise supply chains across ASEAN.

Key insights from the conversation include:

- Leon’s Entrepreneurial Path: From investment analyst to food manufacturing innovator, Leon shares the inspirations and challenges behind his transition to food manufacturing.

- Building from Scratch: Started with RM50,000, a single blender, and small batches for ice cream shops. Overcame early scepticism and barriers by focusing on product quality and consistency.

- Expanding Product Lines: How Gourmet Ingredients pivoted during the pandemic to add new product lines, making beverages a major part of their business.

- Menu Solutions Concept: Leon’s strategic shift toward becoming a “food menu solutions” provider, helping F&B clients with ready-to-use products across appetisers, main courses, beverages, and desserts.

- ASEAN Expansion Strategy: Plans to expand into new ASEAN markets, establish local factories in Vietnam and Indonesia, and increase exports from 30% to 70% of revenue.

- Innovation and Consistency: Ensuring quality and food safety with international certifications (ISO, HALAL, HACCP) and ongoing R&D for constant product improvement.

- Future FMCG Ambitions: Leon’s vision to launch a consumer-facing line, leveraging experience from developing private-label products for established brands.

- Funding and Growth Outlook: Why Gourmet Ingredients remains self-funded through bank financing and potential considerations for M&A or an IPO as the business scales.

Produced by: Carol Wong, Roshan Kanesan

Presented by: Roshan Kanesan


This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories:  marketsmanagingfoodentrepreneurs

Tags:  premix powderfood menu solutions providerf&bf&b sectorsupply chain





Play / Pause

Listen now : BFM 89.9 -- The Business Station

Today’s Shows



6:00 AM

The 6AM Stretch

7:00 AM

World Market Watch

7:15 AM

Morning Brief

7:30 AM

Morning Brief

Denise Wong Equity Analyst, Asia Infrastructure Bloomberg Intelligence

7:45 AM

Professor Dr Ong Kian Ming, Pro Vice Chancellor for External Engagement, Taylor's University

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

9:35 AM

People, Planet, Profit

10:05 AM

Open For Business

Nor Arieni Adriena Mohd Ritzal, Founder, Gula Cakery

11:00 AM

Marketing Mojo

TBC

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

Francesca Chia, Founder of GoGet, and Rashid Shukor, Director of Grab Malaysia

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

Doctor in the House: Informed Consent; Dr George Lee, Consultant Urologist | Dr Richard Veerapen, Medico-legal Consultant

3:05 PM

Beyond the Ballot Box

The Structural Barriers to Gender Equity; Tengku Aira Tengku Razif, Assistant Representative, UNFPA Malaysia | Tehmina Kaoosji, MWGF Head of Secretariat

4:05 PM

Health & Living

Counsellor’s Corner: Gratitude; Anujah Pulanthiran, Licensed and Registered Counsellor

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

6:00 PM

Talkback Tuesday

8:00 PM

Bar None