Who We Are
Our Story
Bell Foods Group, Kochi Since 1968
The Bell Foods Group of companies has a rich legacy that dates back to 1968 when the parent company, Bell Foods, was founded by Mr. Vikraman Puthusseril in Kochi, Kerala, India. Recognizing Kochi as the Hub of the Indian Seafood Industry and strategically situated near the Cochin Harbour and Cochin Port, Bell Foods became one of the pioneering companies in the region to process seafood for export to international markets. Over the decades, under the brand “Ocean Bell,” the company has established itself as a leader in the seafood processing and export industry, renowned for its commitment to quality, customer satisfaction, and value for money. Leveraging five decades of experience, Bell Foods has ventured into domestic markets to meet the expectations of all stakeholders.
The Bell Foods Group now encompasses several divisions, including Bell Exim Pvt Ltd, HT Foods Pvt Ltd, Bell Primax, Bell Neuvotech, BIRDS (Bell Institute of Research and Development Studies), and Bell Farms and Resorts. Bell Exim, our core division, continues to drive growth through sustainable seafood processing and exports. In response to declining seafood catches and rapid industry changes, Bell Foods took a strategic leap in 2017 to expand its product line into value-added products. This move was marked by the acquisition of HT Foods, an existing production unit specializing in burgers for the Russian market. Under Bell Foods’ management, HT Foods shifted focus to producing breaded shrimp and other value-added seafood products, which are now sold in markets such as the USA, Belgium, and Italy. Located in the Cochin Special Economic Zone (CSEZ), HT Foods benefits from duty-free operations and a streamlined production process, allowing the company to continuously innovate and develop new value-added products.
In 2018, the Bell Institute of Research and Development Studies (BIRDS) was established to drive innovation across both public and private sectors, serving as a hub for research, development, and technological advancements and impart that knowledge by providing opportunities to students in the domain. Bell Neuvotech, the IT division of Bell Foods Group, emerged as a digital transformation partner, offering services such as e-Commerce application development, ERP solutions, website designing, mobile app development, and training programs for emerging technologies, thus providing a launchpad for budding professionals and students. Expanding further, the Bell Foods Group established Bell Farms and Resorts in 2022, embracing sustainable farming practices and eco-friendly tourism. This division blends innovation with nature, offering unique farm and resort experiences that align with our values of sustainability and community development.
This expansion reflects Bell Foods Group’s adaptability in the face of rapid industrial changes, particularly the shift toward automation in response to rising manpower costs. The company is dedicated to delivering the safest products to its consumers, embracing automation to minimize human intervention, and fostering innovation and quality as consistent goals. Trust is at the heart of Bell Foods’ corporate values, recognizing that every food business thrives on the trust of its customers and buyers—a trust built on decades of experience, market presence, export statistics, and a commitment to quality. Today, the Bell Foods Group stands as a testament to a legacy of excellence and innovation, with a global presence and a commitment to sustainable growth and development.
Founding Leadership
Visionary guidance that sets the foundation for success, pioneering spirit, expert guidance, and bold vision that drives our company’s growth and success.
R. Vikaraman
Founder, Bell Foods Group, Kochi
A Successful Entrepreneur Through Experiments
R. Vikraman, an entrepreneur who carved his own path in the seafood industry, has left behind a legacy. Starting as a mathematics teacher at Tutorial College, he eventually made his return by setting new benchmarks of success in the business sector. When he moved from Cheriazheekkal in Karunagappally to Kochi, he didn’t have much in hand. What he did have was a strong resolve to overcome hardships. By the mid-1960s, after arriving in Kochi, he began his journey in the seafood sector, with Thoppumpady as his base. The practice at the time was to boil and dry shrimp to turn it into powder and then export it. Initially, it was a small-scale endeavour.
At that time, shrimp powder was mainly exported to Burma. This marked the beginning of Kochi becoming his domain. Despite facing significant challenges in the early stages, he firmly established himself in business with determination. Even amidst crises, he did not shy away from bold experiments.
Vikraman managed to initiate experimental approaches in the seafood industry, responding to all the changes that took place later in the sector. He became known as an entrepreneur who experimented with diverse products. As competition intensified, he led efforts to discover new avenues. He travelled to various countries, exploring new opportunities, and found markets across European countries, establishing good relationships with businesspeople there. With the advent of systems for directly freezing and shipping fish, he advanced in that direction as well.
Over time, many of the major establishments in the sector during the early days withdrew. However, the enterprise he started under the name “Bell Foods” in Thoppumpady remained resilient in the face of challenges, and more institutions were established. He moved forward by uniting everyone, including the suppliers of fish. His business strategy was based on fostering goodwill. He lived in Edakochi with his family. Due to illness, he had not been active for the past two years. However, his departure came only after he paved the way for the new generation in the business sector.
Our Vision
Our vision is to be recognized as a global leader in the seafood. Our goal is to continuously foster trust, satisfaction, and value for our customers, partners, and communities, driving growth while preserving our legacy of excellence. We envision a future where Bell Foods stands as a beacon of reliability, innovation, and social responsibility in every market we serve.
Our Mission
Our mission is to deliver the safest and highest-quality products to our consumers by leveraging decades of experience, technological innovation, and sustainable practices. We aim to implement automation to enhance efficiency and minimize human intervention, drive continuous improvement through research and development, and empower our workforce while maintaining our core values of trust, quality, and excellence across all our divisions. Furthermore, we are dedicated to nurturing relationships built on trust, transparency, and reliability—values that are integral to our business ethos.