Did you know... Kerry Group has opened a new Regional Development and Application Centre in Durban, South Africa? The new centre will serve as the Group’s base for global and regional expansion with a local customer base in Sub Saharan Africa. The centre was officially opened by group chief executive, Stan McCarthy. Speaking at the launch, he said, "With over €1 billion Kerry Group revenue in developing markets, we are firmly focused on our developing markets growth strategy. Our customers are significantly broadening their presence in such fast growing markets - hence the strategic importance of our new Regional Development and Application Centre in Durban which will support the day-to-day requirements of Kerry customers in Sub Saharan Africa. The new Centre will work closely with the Group's Global Technology and Innovation Centre for EMEA markets, which is currently under construction in Ireland.” McCarthy said that Kerry's Durban Centre will support the Group’s global customers who are expanding their regional footprint, whilst bringing the benefits of the Group's leading technology portfolio to local food and beverage producers.
Did you know… Stella Artois Cidre has introduced a new raspberry flavour addition to its range? In an effort to target more female customers, the new flavour will be available in 500ml single bottles, 4 x 330 ml and 8 x 330 ml packs with a 4% ABV. Marketing manager at Stella Artois Phil Pick said, “With this launch, Stella Artois is further demonstrating its commitment to and investment in the cider category. By stocking Stella Artois Cidre Raspberry, our customers will have the opportunity to grow cider sales, and attract more shoppers with this new sophisticated, high quality flavour.” The raspberry variant will be launched at the end of May.
Did you know… Some batches of Heaney’s Meats have been recalled? Undeclared sulphites were discovered in some batches of Heaney Meats Catering Company 4 x 4oz burgers, produced between the dates March 16 and May 16, 2014, prompting the recall. This may make them unsafe for those consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of sulphur dioxide or sulphites, according to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).
Did you know… Charley Stoney has been appointed the group managing director of Alternatives Group? Stoney was formerly managing director of field management company, FMI Ltd. Her new role includes joining the group's new board of directors, which aims to triple the size of the business in the next three years. Stoney will also leverage her skills in commercial, marketing and managed services plus her experience of people centric organisations, to explore new business opportunities for Alternatives.
Did you know… BWG Wines & Spirits’ Exclusive Label Santa Helena has won an International Award? The supplier, Chilean winery VSPT, was named ‘Ethical Company of the Year’ at The Drinks Business’ annual Green Awards, recognising the company’s dedication to its community through best ethical practice. Speaking about the award, Gill O’Meara, BWG Wines & Spirits said, “We are very proud to be the exclusive Irish suppliers of the Santa Helena label, especially in light of this achievement. It is our mission to source the very best wines at affordable prices for our discerning consumers.” VSPT was also announced as runner up in the ‘Green Company of the Year’ category, demonstrating the company’s ongoing commitment to the environment in terms of day-to-day operations. This is the third global award received by one of BWG’s Exclusive Label wines, having recently picked up a bronze for its Canaletto Pinot Noir at the Global Pinot Noir Masters 2014, in addition to a Gold medal for its renowned Prestige Champagne at International Wine Challenge 2013.
Did you know… Musgrave is reportedly facing opposition from UK retailer Morrisons over the proposed name for its ready meals range? Musgrave sought to register the 'Made Easy' trademark for the range, the Sunday Times has reported, however Morrisons opposed the move, given that it already operates a range called 'Dinner Made Easy'. On the trademark, Musgrave said that it is "awaiting a decision and are confident of a positive outcome."
Did you know… Good4U has launched a new product featuring superfood quinoa, which will be stocked in Tesco? The healthy food manufacturer, which is based in Sligo, created the Quinoa Sprout Mix to meet the needs of customers looking for a healthy and nutritious food. New to Tesco, Quinoa Sprout Mix is a unique mix of quinoa, alfalfa, sango radish, daikon radish and lentils, which are crunchy, have a delicate spicy flavour and contain an abundance of nutrients. Good4U have spent years researching the effects of their products, which have concluded that super sprouts are conducive to fighting cancer whilst Alfalfa Sprouts are the ultimate way to lower cholesterol. The retail price for the Good4u Quinoa Sprout mix is €1.89 per 50g punnet, available at Tesco.
Did you know… Meade Potato has announced plans to invest €13 million in a frozen chip plant? The Meath-based fruit and vegetable processor will locate the plant at its site in Lobinstown and already utilises local growers to supply 5,000 tonnes for chipping this year. The company expects to eventually take on 60,000 tonnes in coming years. Robert Devlin, general manager, Meade Potato said, “We hope to increase our total employment by 20% to 290 employees when the six tonne per hour plant is fully operational.” Meade Potato 'straight cut' chips will be available in Tesco in 1.5kg packs this week.
Did you know… Ray Coyle of Largo Foods has described the company's ill-fated Libya facility as a "write-off". Speaking to the Irish Independent, Coyle said that it was doubtful that the company would return to the facility, which was closed two years ago as the uprising started. "The business is a write-off," he said. "The machinery is still in the factory. But it's even worse out there now than it was a couple of years ago. I don't think we'll be going back." Coyle was more optimistic about the group's Moldovan operation, however, noting that it is "really prospering".
Did you know… KitKat will soon be available in an ice cream cone format? The R&R Ice Cream produced cone will feature vanilla and chocolate ice cream with a KitKat finger. Paul Feery, R&R Ice Cream brand marketing head commented, “The new KitKat Cone is a great example of how R&R is maximising the potential of a popular brand, in a fun and innovative way. The ice cream will appeal to existing fans, offering them a summertime eating occasion for their favourite confectionery brand.”
Did you know…A third of Ireland's Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are reportedly 'free of debt'? New research from the Central Bank yesterday entitled, 'Profiling the indebtedness of Irish SMEs’, found that increases in debt to turnover ratios (DT) are associated with increased default and solvency risk. Also it claimed that low DT levels in SMEs do not necessarily signal strong financial health. The research said that incidences of very high indebtedness are not as common in Irish SMEs as could be expected, given the difficulties of Irish SME loan repayments. Currently, the majority of SMEs have relatively low DT ratios, with the share of SMEs with a DT of greater than a third being 16.3%.The share of SMEs with a DT of greater than one is 7%, which is highest for medium-sized firms (greater than 50 employees) at 12%. The Business and Administrative and Construction sectors have the lowest share of highly indebted SMEs, while the Hotels and Restaurants sector has the highest.
© 2014 - Checkout Magazine by Genna Patterson
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