House of Sarunds We are confectionery specialists, sourcing, importing and distributing exquisite continental chocolates and confectionery. We believe that we have the largest range available in the UK and fully understand the requirements of retail customers, re-packers, and gift producers. Within the House of Sarunds team we have experienced people who have run their own loose chocolate shop and pre-packed retail outlet. Also within the team we have an ex-buyer of a large group, one from one of the UK's largest hamper companies and recently we employed the export manager of Duc d'O, Belgian Butters and Kims. The company was founded in Salisbury in 1987, when Robert Verdonk opened a small chocolate shop. After starting with a limited range of products, he soon realized that he needed more variety if the business was to grow and so he converted the offices above the shop into a base from which he could manage the importing of quality chocolates from Belgium. His intention, being fluent in Flemish, was to drive to Belgium on a weekly basis in his van to pick up fresh chocolates for his own shop. He quickly realized that when collecting chocolates for himself he could be doing it for others and started to canvas other chocolate shops in the UK, and so began House of Sarunds as an importer. The business expanded, and as its reputation grew, more and more companies asked Robert to supply them with chocolates. Soon, through word of mouth and not a small amount of entrepreneurial skill, Robert was supplying a wider variety of Belgian chocolates at lower prices to a wider audience, than had ever before been available to retailers. As he out grew the shop it was sold and Robert created the importing and distribution company called House of Sarunds (HOS). After a few years Robert began to have problems with logistics and competitor jealousy where pressure was being put on manufacturers to not supply him. By chance he heard about a Belgian confectionary buying group called Veranco, which had been in existence since 1955. The members of this co-operative distribute confectionary in every town in Belgium and historically concentrated on mid / low price products but the bakery shops in Belgium wanted regular small deliveries of quality Belgian chocolates for their specialist 'weigh out' counters. The Veranco members at the time could not compete on price as their combined turnover in quality chocolates and pralines was not large enough to negotiate a better price. Robert approached the group as a way of finding a greater range of products to distribute, to consolidate his logistics and to hopefully find Belgian chocolates at lower prices. It was by coincidence that Veranco needed Robert's turnover as much as he needed them and he was invited to join the group. Today there are 37 wholesalers in Veranco; 36 in Belgium and the HOS, the only member outside of Belgium.