LuLu Group expands operations in the US

Lyndhurst : LuLu Group International, the Abu Dhabi-headquartered retail and hospitality group, further expanded its operations by opening its food processing and logistics bases in the US. 

Y International, a wholly owned subsidiary of the group, launched its operation in Lyndhurst, New Jersey yesterday morning. The world-class export centre will purchase, process, re-label and export food, non-food, chilled and frozen products made in the US. In the first phase, there are 75 employees and expected to grow to 200 to 250 employees within one year.

The facility was formally inaugurated jointly by Mayor Robert B. Giangeruso, Mayor Michael J. McPartland and Vinai Thummalapally, the Executive Director of SelectUSA in the presence of Yusuffali MA- Chairman, Saifee Rupawala, CEO, Ashraf Ali MA – Executive Director and Mohd. Althaf – Director of LuLu Group.

Attendees at the ribbon cutting ceremony also included local and foreign officials as well as members of the Indian-American business community from around the country.

In his remarks Yusuffali MA thanked the officials of SelectUSA, Choose New Jersey and State and county officials for their support in helping LuLu launch their maiden venture in USA. 

“Our group has been importing US products for a long time to cater to more than 700,000 shoppers who come to our 131 hypermarkets daily,” Yusufali added highlighting the longstanding relationships between LuLu and farmers and manufacturers in the country, with a special emphasis on California.

“There has been growing demand for US products throughout our retail chain stores, across the GCC, India and Far East,” he concluded.

Speaking to media during the ceremony Choose New Jersey CEO and President Michele Brown said, “In addition to bringing new jobs to our state, Y International’s export centre will give New Jersey and US manufacturers the opportunity to reach new markets in the Middle East and beyond.”

“Y International USA’s decision to establish their first export distribution centre in the US offers the company new opportunities in the world’s largest consumer market, as well as enhanced access to hundreds of millions of global consumers,” said Vinai Thummalapally, executive director, SelectUSA.