VSH Foods

VSH Foods (NV VSH Foods), formerly known as Margarine- en Vettenfabriek NV, is a Surinamese food manufacturing company based in Paramaribo. It is listed on the Suriname Stock Exchange and is majority-owned by the Verenigde Surinaamse Holdingmij (VSH). The company was founded by René Chin Ten Fung, who announced a share issue in March 1960, and it began producing margarine under the Gelebek brand on 16 October 1963. Over the decades it has become one of Suriname's best-known consumer food producers, with brands including Golden Brand and Marigold. The company's core business is the production of margarine, fats, and related food products. Its official website highlights recipes made with its margarine and promotes its products as carefully produced. Golden Brand, one of its flagship margarines, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023, and Marigold Romige Spread is another well-known product line. The company has expanded beyond Suriname, exporting to Curaçao since 2003, to Trinidad and Tobago since 2004, and later to Jamaica. VSH Foods has weathered significant economic challenges, including losses in the late 1960s, the economic recession and foreign-exchange shortages of the 1980s under Suriname's military regime, and repeated production stoppages due to raw material shortages. A major modernization of its production process took place in the second half of the 1970s, and further investment followed after VSH acquired a majority stake in 2000. In 2001 a rights issue raised funds for production machinery, laboratory equipment, and a product warehouse. The factory was renamed NV VSH Foods in 2009. Today VSH Foods remains an active Surinamese manufacturer and publicly traded company, serving both domestic and Caribbean markets with margarines, spreads, and other food products.

VSH Foods, originally named Margarine- en Vettenfabriek NV, was founded by René Chin Ten Fung, who announced the issuance of shares in March 1960. A total of 420,000 Surinamese guilders in share capital was issued, and a loan was provided by the insurance company NEN. Jim Healy, owner of Verenigde Surinaamse Holdingmij, worked on the factory's development plans and held 10% of the shares. Production of margarine under the brand name Gelebek began on 16 October 1963 in the presence of Governor Archibald Currie. The Workers' Organization of the Margarine and Fats Factory was proclaimed on 22 November 1969. In 1969 the factory recorded a loss of nearly 70,000 Surinamese guilders. In the second half of the 1970s, a major modernization of the production process was carried out and new machines were purchased. Results initially improved, until an economic recession and foreign-exchange scarcity occurred during the military regime in the 1980s. The factory stood still several times until the 1990s because the supply of raw materials failed to arrive. In addition, replacement investments and renovations were postponed. In 1996 the accumulated backlog compared to other countries became clear when Suriname joined Caricom. In 2000, Verenigde Surinaamse Holdingmij (VSH) acquired the majority of the shares. In 2001, money was raised through a rights issue. Production machines and laboratory equipment were purchased and a product warehouse was built. Since 2003 the company has exported to Curaçao and since 2004 to Trinidad and Tobago; later Jamaica followed. In 2009 the factory's name was changed to NV VSH Foods.

• René Chin Ten Fung announced the issuance of shares; 420,000 Surinamese guilders in share capital issued.

• Production of margarine under the Gelebek brand began in the presence of Governor Archibald Currie.

• The Workers' Organization of the Margarine and Fats Factory was proclaimed.

• The factory recorded a loss of nearly 70,000 Surinamese guilders.

• Major modernization of the production process and purchase of new machines.

• Economic recession and foreign-exchange scarcity during the military regime caused production stoppages.

• Suriname joined Caricom, highlighting the accumulated backlog.

• Verenigde Surinaamse Holdingmij (VSH) acquired the majority of shares.

• Rights issue raised funds; production machines, laboratory equipment purchased and a product warehouse built.

• Exports to Curaçao began.

• Exports to Trinidad and Tobago began.

• The factory's name was changed to NV VSH Foods.

• Golden Brand celebrated its 50th anniversary.

A trusted Surinamese manufacturer of margarines and spreads, serving local and Caribbean markets with well-known consumer brands.

• Golden Brand margarine

  Flagship margarine brand, celebrated 50 years in 2023.

• Marigold Romige Spread

  Creamy spread product line.

• Gelebek margarine

  Original margarine brand produced since 1963.

1. 1Home - VSH Foodsvshfoods.com
2. 2VSH Foods - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3VSH Foods - Wikipedia (Dutch)nl.wikipedia.org