Aramark Ireland hosted a series of events in Ireland for its first Global Volunteer Day on Wednesday, March 19, which was aimed at 'Inspiring Kids to be Healthy for Life'. Over 40 Aramark volunteers helped to create a community garden 'wellness zone' at Keltoi Rehabilitation Unit in St. Mary’s Hospital, Dublin. A series of health and wellness volunteer-giving activities were also held across a number of Aramark Ireland’s nationwide healthcare locations. Over 35 volunteers handed out healthy donation packs to patients and visitors at the healthcare facility to promote healthy living for children. Donal O’Brien, CEO of Aramark Ireland said, “This Global Volunteer Day is an opportunity for Aramark to make a real impact in one day across the globe and is a natural evolution of our company-wide volunteer program 'Aramark Building Community'."
Businessman Michael Carey is keeping schtum following a report in the Sunday Times at the weekend, which revealed details of a planned €15 million biscuit factory the Bord Bia chairman is reportedly seeking to open alongside former Kelly's Biscuits boss Paul Kelly. According to the report, Goodbody Corporate Finance has been retained to raise up to €10 million to fund the venture, which will be export-focused. Carey told Retail Intelligence: "As you know we (The Company of Food) are currently involved in a number of investments in the food sector and we constantly review various potential future opportunities. It would not be appropriate to comment on any of those future opportunities or on any speculation of future plans."
ABP Food Group has signed an agreement with Carrefour Italia to supply its Irish hereford beef to more than 160 Carrefour stores in Italy. The deal was announced last week in Carrefour’s flagship store in Milan. ABP managing director Finbarr McDonnell said, “Our partnership with Carrefour Italia is confirmation of the demand for premium Irish heifer and steer beef in European markets.” The deal with the Italian supermarket chain follows a successful trial period in which ABP beef products were stocked in 40 Carrefour stores earlier this year.
The Barry Group has been selected as one of the Deloitte Best Managed Companies programme for 2014. The Mallow-based company has won the national management award for a fifth consecutive year. The Deloitte programme, held in association with Barclays Bank Ireland, recognises the high operational standards of indigenous companies across Ireland and the role they play in supporting the Irish economy. Barry Group managing director, Jim Barry said of the award, "I believe passionately in encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation within a team environment. To be announced as one of Deloitte's best managed companies was a great vindication of this belief.” He said that it's vital that the values and ethos of the company that have been recognised by such a respected organisation such as Deloitte are maintained and improved on, in order to ensure the company continues to move forward.
Green Business launched a Resource Efficiency Guide in Dublin last week in conjunction with the Enviromental Protection Agency. The guide aims to help businesses reduce their costs, wastage and environmental footprint and provides retailers with the invaluable information, guidance and tips they need to save tens of thousands of euro each year. Senator Feargal Quinn welcomed the Green Business initiative and said it is “a win-win situation for retailers to stay competitive by reducing their costs while reducing their environmental footprint. As a former retailer I know the extent and the cost of unnecessary wastage which is why I fully support this campaign.” Stephen Lynam, Director of Retail Ireland said that “dedicated guidelines demonstrating how the retail industry can achieve significant savings by maximising the efficiency and sustainability of resources has never been so timely,” as Irish retail continues to struggle against the effects of declining sales, stagnant consumer demand and rising business costs. The ‘Resource Efficiency Guide’ is available from Green Business, to order email [email protected]
Dairygold has seen its profits boosted 25% in China due to demand for Irish cheese, butter and milk amond the Chinese middle classes. The Sunday Independent revealed that Dairygold's profits for the 2013 financial year are nearly €26 million, up from €20.6 million in 2012, however the company will officially announce its profits in a couple of weeks. Economist Ciaran Fitzgerald told the newspaper that it has been a very strong year for the Irish dairy sector, and that some of that is down to an underlying increase in global demand for dairy products. He said, “There's an emerging middle class in Asia and as they become more prosperous, the demand for sophisticated dairy and meat products is increasing. You are seeing that right across Asia, particularly in China."
The Good4U health-food company has secured funding of €1 million from the Western Development Commission (WDC), the body set up to promote social and economic development in the western region, Enterprise Ireland, AIB, and internal company investment. The Sligo family-run firm says the investment will help it open a new R&D and production headquarters in Finisklin Business Park in Sligo. Good4U was founded by Bernie Butler in 2004, who runs the company with her daughters, Laura and Michelle and son Karol. The business sells fresh, ready-to-eat sprouted seeds, wheatgrass products and roasted seed snacks and ingredients, supplying to retailers across Ireland and the UK, including Tesco, Supervalu, Centra, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury's and independent customers in the United Arab Emirates and Russia. Bernie Butler, Good4u managing director said, "The Good4U brand, combined with an excellent track record, loyal supportive customers and skilled staff will be instrumental in delivering our ambitious plans.”
Discount retailer Dealz is to stock a new bakeware collection by entrepreneur and actress Jane Asher. The range will comprise 50 items and be sold across the business’s portfolio of 31 stores in Ireland from 14 April at a €1.49 price point. The baking range comes in response to a renewed interest in home baking. Asher, who is on of the UK’s leading baking entrepreneurs, said, “It means a lot to me that my name is trusted: I never endorse anything without designing, developing, and testing it myself. I’ve loved working with Dealz on this beautiful, pastel-coloured range which includes spatulas, mini scales and cake tins and I’m really delighted with the final result. The reaction to the range so far has been phenomenal and I’m planning to add even more to it over the next few months.” Dealz, which is part of the UK company Poundland, had record Christmas sales and recently announced its intention to float on the London Stock Exchange.
Lidl Germany chief executive Karl-Heinz Holland has left the retail giant abruptly, following a reported 'power struggle'. Holland has held the position of chief executive of the retailer since 2008. Lidl owner Dieter Schwarz said in a statement, “[Holland] has made a significant contribution to the development of Lidl as the European market leader in the discount segment.” The Lidl head of buying and marketing, Dawid Jaschok, is also to leave the company, although the company has not disclosed the circumstances or reasons for leaving of either Holland or Jaschok. Reportedly, Lidl has appointed Sven Seidel, director of the development division of the Schwarz Group, to replace Holland.
Teeling Whiskey won two new awards at the 2014 World Whiskies Awards in London last Thursday. Teeling Single Grain Irish Whiskey was awarded the title of “World’s Best Grain Whiskey” while the Teeling 21YO Single Malt Silver Reserve was awarded the title of “World’s Best Irish Single Malt Whiskey”. Jack Teeling, founder of the Teeling Whiskey Company, commented, “We are very proud of the whiskeys we have launched over the last two years and we are humbled to receive such recognition at one of the biggest awards in the whiskey world. These awards give us confidence to continue to launch innovative expressions of Irish whiskey driving choice within the Irish whiskey category.” The World Whiskies Awards, run by Whiskey Magazine, began in 2007.
© 2014 - Checkout Magazine by Genna Patterson
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