Name: DKSH
Location: Australia and New Zealand
Products Distributing:
PELL™ K Baking Powder
ZEUS™ Baking Powders
KODA™ Potassium Bicarbonate
OPUS™ SALP Replacer
NEOS™ SALP Replacer Acidulant
Working with Kudos Blends has been a seamless and rewarding experience. Their commitment to innovation, quality, and technical excellence aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver technical solutions that meet industry challenges for our customers across the ANZ region.
Andrew Grace – Commercial Manager
Meet DKSH
DKSH was officially formed in 2002, but its roots go back to the late 19th century, when three Swiss entrepreneurs established trading houses across Asia. Today, DKSH has grown into a leading market expansion services provider, with operations spanning Asia, Europe, and North America.
In 2024, DKSH partnered with Kudos Blends after identifying the growing demand for innovative bakery solutions that address key industry challenges such as sodium reduction, clean-label formulations, and aluminium-free baking powders. Leveraging their local market insight and global network, DKSH delivers high-quality solutions tailored to customer needs, providing not only distribution but also technical expertise, regulatory guidance, and customised support.
To explore DKSH’s history, their partnership with Kudos Blends, and the evolving bakery market in Australia and New Zealand, we spoke with Andrew Grace, Commercial Manager for DKSH Australia.
To find out more about DKSH, we sat down with Andrew Grace, Commercial Manager, to discuss their journey, our partnership, and the ever-evolving bakery market.
What trends are you seeing in the industry, and how is DKSH responding?
We’ve been observing a growing outsourcing trend, as more companies focus on innovation and production. This creates opportunities for DKSH, since we’re able to support partners with a wide range of services, including sales and marketing, distribution and logistics, regulatory services, after-sales services, sourcing, and market insights.
Another clear shift is the rise of online exploration in the chemicals sector, which highlights the increasing relevance of “DKSH Discover”, our digital platform that gives customers easy access to speciality ingredients, regulatory guidance, and expert formulation support.
In the bakery business, we’re also seeing strong demand for clean-label products, sodium reduction, and functional ingredients. Partnering with Kudos Blends helps us stay ahead of these trends.
Can you share a customer success story that reflects DKSH’s values in action?
One standout project involved a major quick-service bakery brand known for its indulgent baked goods. They wanted to enhance texture and volume in muffins, while meeting consumer preferences for clean-label ingredients. By introducing Kudos Blends’ ZEUS™ baking powder, we helped them achieve a softer crumb, improved shelf-life, and consistent rise across batches.
What made this project memorable was the collaborative effort. Our technical team worked closely with theirs on trials and reformulations, ensuring the solution worked in full-scale production. It demonstrated how we go beyond supply, bringing technical value, responsiveness, and a shared commitment to product excellence.
What do you value about working with Kudos Blends?
The flexibility, adaptability, responsiveness, and technical capability of the Kudos Blends team. It’s a genuine partnership built on trust and shared values.
Through our partnership with Kudos Blends, we’ve been able to deliver high-value solutions, expand our market share, and help customers address complex formulation challenges. Kudos Blends provides future-ready solutions that customers are increasingly asking for, and their agility and focus on innovation make them an ideal partner.
What is an example of a challenge you’ve been able to solve with Kudos Blends’ products?
A key challenge we faced was helping customers reduce sodium in baked goods without compromising quality – something increasingly important to health-conscious brands.
By introducing Kudos Blends’ KODA™ Potassium Bicarbonate, we offered a solution that maintained volume, texture, and overall performance while significantly lowering sodium levels. With joint trials and technical support, we helped customers reformulate successfully.
Can you tell us about your team and what makes them unique?
Our team is a blend of technical specialists, food scientists, and distribution experts. In the food team across ANZ, we bring over 100 years of combined industry experience. What makes us special is our passion for solving real-world problems collaboratively.
Finally, what advice would you give to other distributors in the industry?
Don’t just distribute – educate and learn. The more you understand your products and your customers’ needs, the stronger and more lasting your relationships will be.
