Cork-based company Dairy Concepts has secured a significant contract with Marks & Spencer UK and Ireland, it was announced today.
The deal includes the launch of a new high-protein, gluten-free dairy snack range, developed in collaboration with Marks & Spencer.
It will be sold under the brand name M&S Cheese Clouds, which will be available in 580 M&S stores across the UK and Ireland.
The collaboration has resulted in a significant increase in production volume for the Fermoy-based producer.
Its growth has necessitated the hiring of five additional production staff members, bringing the total number of Dairy Concepts employees to 24, further bolstering the local economy.
M&S Cheese Clouds are a high-protein snack, with 8g of protein per 20g pack, developed as a healthy alternative to snacks such as crisps and nuts.
Leveraging its dairy product research, development expertise, and state-of-the-art technology at its manufacturing plant, Dairy Concepts crafts these snacks by combining premium Irish Cheddar with a unique vacuum-cooking process.
Importantly, the companies have developed these snacks in such a way as to not require refrigeration or special storage, meaning that customers and retailers can store them at room temperature.
This ensures an extended shelf life and reduced storage requirements for retailers, facilitating seamless exports and appealing to a broader customer base seeking convenient options.
‘A Real Milestone’
Speaking about the partnership, the chief executive of Dairy Concepts, Tom Brennan, said, “For Dairy Concepts, becoming a supplier for M&S signifies a significant endorsement of our innovative product development, operational standards, and product quality.
“With value-added dairy snack products made from a minimum of 98% cheese, this domestic and export partnership really supports Irish farmers and contributes to the growth of the wider Irish dairy industry.”
Eddie Murphy, the country director for Marks & Spencer Ireland and Northern Ireland, said, “At M&S, we’re growing our partnerships with Irish suppliers to offer our customers quality Irish products, sourced locally and sold across the UK and Ireland.
“The launch of the innovative M&S Cheese Clouds range, in partnership with Dairy Concepts, marks a real milestone for both companies and shows the potential for more opportunities across our Irish supply chain.”
Dairy Concepts and M&S are planning further expansion in the partnership, with future product development, including a new-flavour variant and larger pack sizes, set to launch in early 2025.
These developments will further position the Fermoy company as a key player in the dairy snack market.
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