Dawn Meats has been named as a National Champion in the European Business Awards, sponsored by RSM. This means that the company goes through to the next round of the competition, which requires it to make a video telling its story. The best presentations will be awarded the ‘Ruban d’Honneur’, and go on to be part of the final in 2016.
McCormack Farms Ltd has been named Best Agri-Business at the Leinster final of the Ulster Banks Business Achievement Awards, while fellow Meath-based concern Clonarn Clover has won Best Food & Business Award. McCormack Farms has spent over 20 years growing and selling a range of produce to top retailers across Ireland, including Lidl, Tesco and Dunnes Stores. Clonarn Clover produces free-range eggs using a pioneering alternative farm system that allows hens full access to the outdoors. Both companies will go on to take part in the national finals in December.
Coca-Cola has announced the return of its Christmas Truck tour, offering consumers the chance to take festive photos with the iconic Coca-Cola trucks, as well as to enjoy some Christmas carols and product samples. The tour runs from November 27th to December 1st, and will stop at several major Tesco and Supermac’s outlets.
Irish Christmas tree growers expect to harvest 550,000 trees before the end of the year, and expect to sell 350,000 throughout Ireland before Christmas day, with around 200,000 to be exported to other EU countries. This year, the Irish Christmas Tree Growers Association is encouraging consumers to buy Irish-grown trees by looking for the ‘Love A Real Tree’ label. The ICTGA says the most popular Christmas trees are the Nordmann Fir and Noble Fir and the Christmas tree industry is worth €21 million to the Irish economy.
French food group Danone has announced new sales growth targets as it tries to boost the profitability of its dairy divisions. According to its website, the owner of Actimel and Activia is now aiming for organic sales growth of over 5% by 2020, as well as an increase of at least 200 basis points in the operating margin of its dairy division.
Chocolate company Mackie’s is looking for a chief taster for its new factory in Aberdeenshire in the UK, calling the position “the sweetest job in the world.” The company will advertise the job through S1jobs and a TV campaign until December 3rd. Applicants are asked to describe their dream chocolate bar and explain why they are the best candidates for the job. The top four ideas will be chosen and put to the test by Mackie’s, after which two finalists will be short-listed for a public vote.
© 2015 - Checkout Magazine by Stephen Wynne-Jones
