How Suite42 Scaled Sweet Karam Coffee with New Product Development & Food Manufacturing
In the ever-evolving world of food innovation and consumer preferences, launching and scaling a product takes more than just a great recipe; it takes the right partner. That’s where Suite42 comes in with its expertise in new product development and contract manufacturing.
When Sweet Karam Coffee (SKC), a beloved South Indian brand known for its nostalgic flavors and authenticity, wanted to scale its food manufacturing and expand its product portfolio, they turned to Suite42. In just 8 months, their business revenue skyrocketed from ₹7 Lakhs to ₹70 Lakhs. Here’s how we made it happen.
The Challenge: Scaling Without Compromising on Quality
Sweet Karam Coffee had carved out a niche in the Indian market with its traditional snacks like No Palm Oil Tapioca Chips and Peanut Chikki. But as demand surged and ambitions expanded, the brand faced multiple barriers:
- Inconsistent product quality due to multiple manufacturers
- Inefficient supply chain logistics
- Lack of scalable production infrastructure
- Need to expand into new categories while maintaining their identity
SKC needed a growth partner who could streamline operations, enhance quality, and unlock scale—all while preserving the soul of the brand.
An article that might interest you: How to Build a Successful Snack Brand in India: Expert Insights
New Product Development and Contract Manufacturing: Suite42’s End-to-End Solution
Suite42 stepped in as an end-to-end partner for new product development, contract manufacturing, and supply chain optimization. Here’s how we transformed SKC’s backend into a launchpad for rapid growth.
1. Identifying the Right Manufacturer
Our first step was to consolidate production by identifying manufacturers with GMP-certified facilities capable of producing No Palm Oil Tapioca Chips, Potato Chips, and Peanut Chikkis at scale. We conducted multiple trials to perfect:
- Chip thickness
- Frying temperature
- Seasoning formulations
- Product formulation
This also included the ability to produce clean-label options like no palm oil chips, aligning with evolving consumer preferences for healthier snacks.
With the right partners and SOPs in place, we laid the foundation for quality and consistency.
2. Pilot Production & Lab Studies
Our Innovation Centre led the pilot production phase:
- Built detailed process notes
- Designed quality improvement plans
- Conducted lab studies to assess moisture, oxidation, and microbial stability
- Developed prototypes for new packaging sizes
This step ensured that scaling wouldn’t sacrifice quality.
3. Full-Scale Commercial Manufacturing
We helped SKC transition from fragmented, small-scale units to centralized, scalable production:
- Procured RM & PM from approved vendors
- Introduced automatic machinery for potato slicing and peeling
- Conducted hourly quality checks and batch testing
- Maintained consistent chip thickness and oil freshness
- Standardized chikki roasting process for optimal taste and shelf life
The results? Improved efficiency, faster turnaround, and reduced production costs.
4. Continuous Quality & Facility Improvement
We didn’t stop after setup. We:
- Streamlined procurement to meet growing demand
- Upgraded packaging based on transit feedback
- Consolidated 5 chikki manufacturers into 1 for consistency
- Introduced forward-purchasing plans for raw materials like potatoes
- Supported regulatory documentation for exports
This holistic approach gave SKC an unmatched edge in operational efficiency and scalability.
An article that might interest you: New Product Development for Snacks: Suite42’s Founder-First Approach
Expansion Into New Categories – How Suite42 Enabled New Product Development for Clean-Label & Traditional Snacks
Suite42’s team also assisted SKC in R&D and prototyping for entirely new product categories. We helped them develop new product lines through our new product development services for food brands into areas like:
- Roasted snacks
- Grain-based extruded snacks
- Ready-to-eat traditional sweets
- No palm oil savoury snacks, catering to clean-label demand
Our expertise in new food product formulation and development empowered SKC to innovate without risk, leveraging real-time feedback and lab-tested formulations. We have completed 20+ NPDs.
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The Results: 10x Growth in Under a Year
What the Client Said
“Suite42 helped us a lot with identifying the right manufacturing partners, improving our operations, and optimizing our backend processes. What really stood out was their continuous improvement mindset and hands-on involvement. We saw our volumes increase significantly, expanded into new categories, and could focus on our front-end business with more confidence.”
— Anand Bharadwaj, Co-Founder, Sweet Karam Coffee
Hear it from him:
Why Brands Trust Suite42 – For its innovative new product development expertise or is it more?
Suite42 is more than a contract manufacturing partner, we’re a growth engine for food brands across India and beyond. With a VC-backed team of experts and a focus on quality, innovation, and scalability, we help brands like Sweet Karam Coffee:
- Launch disruptive new food products
- Navigate manufacturing challenges
- Scale efficiently across geographies
- Build trust through consistent quality
With clients in 5+ countries, 100+ SKUs delivered, and deep expertise across plant-based, functional foods, snack bars, frozen foods, and RTD beverages, Suite42 is uniquely positioned to support your brand’s next big leap.
Since 2021, Suite42 has helped over 50 brands innovate, manufacture, and scale across categories like:
- Plant-Based Dairy – Millet Milk, Oat Milk, Vegan Yoghurt
- Snack Bars – Protein, Nutrition, Energy Bars
- Breakfast Cereals – Oats & Overnight Oats, Muesli, Granola, Millet-Based Cereals
- Cookies – Protein cookies, millet-based cookies, oat-based cookies
- Beverages –Coconut water, Functional, Meal replacements, Protein Shakes, Protein water
- Frozen Foods – Ready-to-Eat Meals,Frozen Snacks, Vegetarian & Non-Vegetarian Options
- Snacks/ Savouries – Makhana, Millet Chips, Vacuum-Fried Snacks, No palm oil namkeens
At Suite42, our vision is to be the trusted backbone of innovative food brands, developing products, delivering high-quality, scalable, and sustainable contract manufacturing solutions that turn visionary ideas into market-ready products.
We Offer:
- Product Formulation & R&D
- Pilot to Full-Scale Manufacturing
- Quality Assurance & Compliance
- Sourcing, Logistics & Supply Chain Support
- End-to-End Execution & Transparency
Ready to Innovate, Manufacture & Scale?
Whether you’re a startup with a bold idea or an established brand looking to optimize and expand, Suite42 is your trusted partner from lab to launch.
Contact Us Today to explore how we can bring your product vision to life:
Let’s build the future of food together.
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