ONE of the UK’s leading food service and retail equipment suppliers, Bradford-based Victor Manufacturing, is celebrating its 75th anniversary.

For more than seven decades Victor has specialised in the manufacture and supply of food service equipment for moving, storing or holding hot and cold food for a wide-range of organisations.

Now run by managing director, Phil Williams – who took over the business as part of a management buyout earlier this year – Victor started out in 1944 manufacturing steel paint cans and tea towel dryers.

With the growth of the hospitality industry in the 1960s, the company diversified to produce hot cupboards and other serving equipment.

Victor weathered the storm of the recession in 2013, growing its turnover by 37 per cent, earning the manufacturer a commendation by the London Stock Exchange, before continuing its success into 2017 with the opening of two new facilities in Bradford.

Speaking about the landmark anniversary, Phil Williams, managing director at Victor, said: “Since its inception more than 70 years ago, Victor has overcome a number of economic challenges to thrive and grow to become one of the leading catering equipment manufacturers in the industry.

“Having been with the company for 20 years, I’m extremely proud to witness the business reach this impressive milestone, which is thanks to our innovative product offering, unrivalled customer service and renowned reputation within the marketplace, all of which we’ve worked incredibly hard to achieve.

“The future looks bright for Victor – after increasing turnover to £9million, we have ambitious plans to continue this success with the aim of growing annual revenues to £20million over the next five years.”

Victor specialises in the manufacture and supply of food service equipment to some of the UK’s largest companies and groups in a variety of sectors, including education, care, public sector, hospitality, contract catering and retail.

Clients include Network Rail and Hilton Hotels.

Additionally the firm supplies equipment around the world projects including the Emirates lounge in Dubai, Marriott Bay resort in Fiji and the Abu Dhabi future schools project.

Based across three sites in Bradford, the business has a strong reputation for being at the forefront of advances in the food service equipment industry.

Victor’s products comprise standard off-the-shelf items ready for next day delivery, custom counters and bespoke one-off specials.

Significant new accounts over the last 12 months, along with being appointed the exclusive UK partner of leading US manufacturer, Duke, has had a positive impact on the company’s continued year on year growth.

The manufacturer hopes this will help it to achieve its ambitious growth plans over the next five years.

The firm employs 120 staff over three facilities, including its headquarters at Lonsdale Works, Gibson Street, off Leeds Road.

In September it announced a partnership with Duke Manufacturing, a global foodservice equipment manufacturer with its headquarters in the US.

It sees Victor manage Duke's portfolio of hot holding platforms in the UK.