Our Story

1958

KNP Trading Company was set up on 1 June 1958 by our Founder, Sri K N Unnithan, to provide a service to households that would make their preparation of foods easier, and at the same time enhance their food experience. Hence our motto ‘Enhancing Food Experience’.

1960

The House Brand variety of spices was launched. Singapore in the 1950s was an entrepot for spices. As such, spice raw materials were available throughout the year. Sri K N Unnithan started purchasing raw spices from the wholesalers, and stocked them at the Nissen hut, located at 110 Jalan Kedai. Spice Raw materials were graded, blended and ground to form single ground spices and spice mixes for different cooking applications.
1986

Sri K.N. Unnithan decided to set up a factory at a 2300 sqm site at the Woodlands East Industrial area that was newly launched by the Jurong Town Corporation Limited (JTC). The site, 50 Senoko Drive, was leased for 30 years from JTC, commencing on 16 Apr 1986, Suriya Trading Enterprises (S) Pte Ltd was incorporated for that purpose.
1989

The construction of a Single storey 2 part building was completed in 1989. The built up area was around 2000 sq. m.  The shifting of operations from 110 Jalan Kedai to 50 Senoko Drive was completed in 1989.

1994

K.N.P. Trading Company was incorporated as a private limited company  named as K.N.P. Trading Pte Ltd.

1999

Cryogenic grinding of spices and flour, using liquid nitrogen,   was introduced. This enables the locking in of flavours as essential oils in the spice raw materials are not destroyed at the time of grinding. The reduction in temperature of spices prior to and during the grinding process ensures that the floavours are transferred into the packet. The company also introduced new designs and packaging material with zip lock facility.

2006

Suriya is approved by ITE as a ‘Certified on the Job Training Centre’ for Spice Processing since 2006.

2010

The company introduced the Field Order Management system, where customer orders are taken using iPads

2015

A small range of Ready to Cook and Ready to Eat products was launched in 2015 under the House Brand banner.

2016

The factory premises at 50 Senoko Drive was to be demolished and construction work for a new building commenced at that  site.

2018

On 24 May 2018, Suriya shifted to its new home, a 5 and a half storey building at 50 Senoko Drive with a gross floor area of 7400 sq m. The new building was designed to incorporate the new RTE/RTC product lines as well as the automated spice processing system that allowed for cryogenic cooling.  A facility at 36 Senoko Crescent was acquired to for rice packing and warehousing. A two storey building as commissioned with a floor area of 46,000 sq.m.

2022

Suriya Trading Ent (S) Pte Ltd was licensed as a Decentralized Warehouse Operator by the Singapore Food Agency. Suriya will stockpile rice as part of the National Stockpile requirements in its own warehouse at 36 Senoko Crescent.

2023

Suriya launched the Batter line of products. The Housebrand batter for Indian snacks allow households to prepare and enjoy snacks instantly.