MARCEL'S PANCAKES

AN UNRELENTING FOCUS ON QUALITY

One of Taranaki’s favourite businesses quietly changed hands at the end of May. Few would have noticed though, as it was a case of business as usual for Van Dyck Fine Foods.

The Bell Block-based multi-award winning pancake manufacturer was sold to Tauranga-based Oriens Capital by founders Ingrid Vercammen and Marcel Naenen.

Marcel’s CEO Natalie Innes told the Taranaki Business Review the change marked the beginning of a new, exciting period for the company.

“We’re delighted the buyer is a New Zealand company, committed to growing the business,’’ said Natalie.

“It’s great news that the business is remaining in New Plymouth and that all of the people are being retained. Ingrid and Marcel were looking for exactly this type of buyer and Oriens definitely fits the bill.

“Both Ingrid and Marcel were looking for a buyer as they were at an age where

they wanted to fully retire. It’s been reassuring to know that Oriens is going to maintain everything as it is, which is important.’’

Natalie was appointed CEO nearly five years ago to allow Ingrid and Marcel to cut down on the day-to-day running of the business. The transition was seamless and Marcel’s has continued its exponential growth both domestically and overseas under her watch.

That success has been good for Taranaki’s economy as well, with staff numbers growing to more than 60.

The fairy tale success story of Marcel’s Pancakes is already firmly entrenched in Taranaki’s history. Marcel and Ingrid came to New Zealand almost 20 years ago after a chance meeting with legendary Manaia-based baker Noel

Yarrow at a trade fair in Europe. On learning the two were looking to relocate to Australia, Noel convinced them Taranaki was a far better option. The rest, as the saying goes, was history.

The Belgian couple seized on the opportunity to bring their traditional Belgium Crepes and Pancakes to New Zealand and set up their factory in Bell Block, where it remains.

Marcel and Ingrid’s unrelenting focus on product quality remains a cornerstone of the business under Natalie’s watch today.

Gordon Brown