Editors choice

In 1974, a young and determined entrepreneur named Shashi Shah left Mombasa with a single suitcase, an instinct for trade, and the East African spirit of resilience ingrained into his identity. 

He landed in Canada with little money but a clear vision, to build something meaningful, ethical, and enduring. What began in a small Montreal garage as a modest import business would, five decades later, evolve into Scale Foods, one of North America’s most advanced vertically integrated food manufacturing companies.

CEO Sujay Shah and President Rajay Shah, the next generation steering the company forward.

Today, that legacy is carried forward by Shashi’s sons, CEO Sujay Shah and President Rajay Shah, who have transformed the family’s ambition into a modern, tech-driven food empire. 

Scale Foods supplies and partners with major supermarket chains across the U.S., top-tier food companies in Canada, and global food manufacturers, positioning the company as a key player in North America’s modern food ecosystem.

Their latest milestone, a $95 million state-of-the-art facility in Toronto, stands as proof of how far a family’s belief in quality, discipline, and East African business values can go.

At the gates of this new facility, the Kenyan flag flies high. It is more than symbolism; it is a declaration of origin, a tribute to the man who planted the seed of an empire, and a reminder that while the company operates globally, its heart beats with East African rhythm.

At the core of Scale Foods’ identity is Kasuku, the family’s flagship spice brand. Named after the Swahili word for parrot, Kasuku represents vibrancy, intelligence, and diversity. These qualities are mirrored in the company’s growing portfolio of premium spices, grains, and natural food products. 

From sourcing and steam sterilization to milling, blending, and packaging, Scale Foods controls every process under one roof, ensuring unmatched purity and freshness.

The Shah family credits their longevity and growth to principles inherited from their East African roots; loyalty, long-term thinking, relationship-building, and resilience. These values guide every decision, even as the company embraces cutting-edge technology, data systems, and advanced manufacturing capabilities.

In an exclusive conversation with The East African Business Times, Brian Yatich had a chat with Chief Executive Officer, Sujay Shah as he discusses the company’s journey, the family legacy, and what the future holds as Scale Foods expands its footprint across North America, and ……. The potential return to East Africa.

How would you describe the mindset and values Shashi Shah carried from Kenya that became the foundation of Scale Foods?

My father, Shashi Shah, along with his brother Praful, began importing food products out of the family garage in Montreal, Canada, after immigrating from Mombasa in 1974. He brought with him a deeply rooted East African business mindset, grounded in precision, loyalty, and long-term thinking. 

That mindset shaped not just how he approached trade, but how he built relationships and made decisions. He believed in putting in the work, maintaining integrity at every step, and playing the long game, not chasing shortcuts. 

These values created a foundation of trust that still defines how we operate at Scale Foods today. We don’t just think in quarters or even years; we think in decades. And it’s that long-range view, inherited from my father, that’s enabled us to grow into the company we are now while preserving the integrity of where we came from.

From a garage-based import operation to a vertically integrated food manufacturing empire, what were the defining moments that shaped Scale Foods’ trajectory?

One of the most defining moments in our trajectory was the decision to unify our three core divisions, Shashi Foods, Smile Natural Foods, and New York Spice, under one cohesive brand: Scale Foods. 

Each entity had its own legacy and operational strengths, but we recognized that to move forward and lead in the North American market, we needed a unified identity that reflected the scale, precision, and future-forward approach we had developed over the years. 

Another turning point was the investment in vertical integration. Rather than outsourcing key parts of our operation like many others in the industry, we chose to build a system where we control everything from sourcing and importing to steam sterilization, milling, blending, and packaging. That decision changed the game for us, giving us full control over quality and setting us apart from competitors.

What were some of the early challenges your family encountered when entering the North American market, and how did you overcome them?

Breaking into the North American market as an immigrant family came with its share of barriers, language, capital, and yes, racism. We didn’t have institutional backing or a network to lean on. 

But what we did have was clarity in who we were and what we stood for. We relied on our values: relentless drive, accountability, innovation, and the belief that we’re better together. They were how we navigated every setback. When the door wasn’t open, we found another way in. When we were underestimated, we outperformed. Every challenge sharpened our commitment to quality and built the foundation for the trust we’ve earned today

What lessons from your father’s era remain relevant in today’s high-tech, ultra-competitive food industry?

The biggest lesson that carries over from my father’s era is that long-term trust always wins. In a time where data and technology drive a lot of decision-making, we’ve held on to the principle that relationships, built on consistency, integrity, and respect, are the backbone of sustainable growth. 

We’ve also stayed committed to doing things right the first time. My father never believed in cutting corners, and that ethos is reflected in how we approach everything from traceability to food safety. Even as we’ve scaled and adopted more advanced systems, we’ve never lost sight of the importance of honoring relationships and delivering with precision.

Scale Foods is now one of North America’s most advanced vertically integrated food companies. What competitive edge does full integration, from sourcing to packaging, give you?

Vertical integration is our core differentiator. We own every step of our process and that level of control is rare in our industry. Most companies outsource at least one of these stages, which introduces risk, inconsistency, and loss of visibility.  

We’re able to guarantee purity, improve traceability, and deliver unmatched freshness to our customers. It also gives us a strategic edge in an unpredictable global supply chain landscape. While others struggle with delays or quality issues tied to third-party vendors, our internal system keeps us agile, consistent, and reliable.

The new Toronto facility cost $95M. What does this investment represent in terms of capacity, efficiency, and strategic positioning?

This facility is a major milestone not just for us, but for Canadian food manufacturing as a whole. At a time when many are offshoring production to reduce costs, we made a $95 million investment in our Toronto headquarters to double down on local excellence. 

It’s one of the most advanced food facilities in North America and allows us to operate a fully vertically integrated system under one roof. We’ve created over 200 skilled jobs and continue to grow. Strategically, this facility strengthens our regional supply chain, boosts production capacity, and positions us as a North American leader capable of delivering purity and consistency at scale.

How do you ensure purity, freshness, and quality across your entire supply chain?

We ensure quality by controlling the entire supply chain ourselves. Our end-to-end process allows us to maintain strict standards and avoid the quality degradation that can happen when different steps are outsourced to third parties. 

We also hold certifications like BRC, Organic, Kosher, Gluten-Free, and Non-GMO, which reinforce our commitment to compliance, food safety, and transparency at every level.

Which products or categories currently define your strongest growth areas?

We’re seeing our strongest growth in custom seasoning mixes and spice blends, particularly those tailored for health-conscious consumers and global flavor trends. What’s driving that growth is our ability to innovate across the entire supply chain. 

Because we’re vertically integrated, we can respond faster to market shifts, develop proprietary blends, and package them in modern, scalable formats for retail, food service, and industrial clients. 

The combination of culinary relevance, clean-label ingredients, and high-quality packaging has positioned us as a go-to partner for brands looking to offer something differentiated and dependable.

Are there any upcoming innovations or product lines you are preparing to introduce?

We’re currently preparing to launch two new in-house spice brands. These will be announced soon, and each will reflect our commitment to purity, consistency, and culinary excellence while offering consumers something distinct and high-quality within the spice category

What investments have you made in food safety, traceability, and compliance with North American regulatory standards?

Food safety and traceability are foundational to our operations. Our vertically integrated model gives us real-time visibility into every stage of production, which is crucial for meeting and exceeding regulatory standards. 

We’re certified in BRC, Organic, Kosher, Gluten-Free, and Non-GMO, and our investment in sterilization and traceability systems ensures that nothing leaves our facility without meeting our exacting standards.

How important is R&D in strengthening Scale Foods’ product quality and diversification strategy?

R&D is absolutely central to how we evolve. We recently launched Scale Labs, our in-house incubator dedicated to product innovation, quality testing, and collaborative development. 

It’s a space where our team can experiment with new blends, refine formulations, and co-develop with partners, including Fortune 500 companies. 

Scale Labs gives us the agility to stay ahead of consumer trends while maintaining the precision and consistency our clients rely on. It’s not just about diversification; it’s about pushing the standard for what quality can look like in this industry.

What leadership principles guide you most strongly in managing a large-scale, family-owned enterprise?

I lead with long-term vision, integrity, and accountability, values passed down from my father and shaped by the demands of managing a modern enterprise. Because we’re privately owned and fully independent, I’m not beholden to external investors or short-term profit pressures. 

That gives me the freedom to lead in a way that prioritizes people, product, and purpose. I believe in reinvesting in our team and technology and in making decisions that protect the integrity of the brand over the long term.

How do you preserve the integrity of a family legacy while also steering a modern, data-driven company?

The rebrand to Scale Foods was about exactly that, honoring the legacy while building something fit for the future. Our legacy is built on trust, quality, and long-term thinking. 

What’s changed is the scale and sophistication with which we now operate. By integrating advanced systems and maintaining full control over our operations, we’re able to stay competitive in a data-driven market without compromising on the principles that got us here. It’s about evolving with purpose, not just for the sake of growth.

As a privately funded and fully independent company, how do you stay competitive against multinational food giants?

Being privately funded has been a strategic advantage. It’s allowed us to scale deliberately, reinvest where it matters most, and stay true to our principles. We’re not chasing quarterly returns or reacting to investor demands, we’re focused on delivering quality and building something that lasts. 

That independence means we can make values-driven decisions and protect the integrity of our partnerships. It’s helped us earn trust and create something that’s both resilient and deeply rooted in purpose.

Do you have plans to re-enter or invest in East Africa’s food manufacturing space in the future?

Absolutely. East Africa, and Kenya in particular, will always be part of our story, but it’s also part of our future. The region is evolving quickly, with growing demand for high-quality, differentiated food products. 

We see a significant opportunity to re-engage not just as exporters, but as contributors to local manufacturing, innovation, and value creation. When the timing is right, we intend to invest in ways that support regional food security, elevate local sourcing, and bring Scale Foods’ quality standards and capabilities back to where it all began.

Looking ahead, what is your vision for the next decade of Scale Foods?

Our vision is to become the most trusted natural foods company in North America, recognized not just for scale, but for integrity, precision, and long-term impact. 

Over the next decade, we’ll continue to invest in vertical integration, product innovation, and global partnerships that allow us to serve more markets without compromising on quality. 

But more than anything, our goal is to build something that lasts, an enduring legacy rooted in family values, driven by excellence, and built to serve generations to come.