Further Success for SMEs on Food and Drink Development Programme with Pallas Foods

Today (10th June) the IEA announced that the latest cluster of five SME food companies on the Channel Clusters Development Programme, have achieved strong sales growth and listings with Ireland’s leading foodservice supplier, Pallas Foods.

The companies involved are Dragon Nutrition (Co. Wexford), Glen Áine Foods (Co. Limerick), Goatbridge Premium Irish Trout (Co. Kilkenny), Homestyle Meats (Co. Longford) and Knockdrinna Farmhouse Cheese (Co. Kilkenny).
The cluster’s objective has been to assist small or start-up food companies to achieve the service, quality and innovation standards necessary to achieve product listings in the foodservice sector. It is funded under the EU Interreg 4A initiative, with support from Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland.

Already, as a result of participating on the programme, two of the companies – Goatsbridge Trout and Knockdrinna Farmhouse - have achieved product listings with Pallas Foods, while it is anticipated ongoing discussions will result in other participating companies being successful in the near future.

Eddie Heffernan, Purchasing Manager of Pallas Foods states:
“We’ve found this programme very useful and relevant to our business. We took the opportunity to explain to each of the companies individually what they needed to do to be able to work with us. The companies have taken this on board, which has made the whole process much easier for both parties”.

The programme included tailored business mentoring for each company by the IEA’s appointed business development consultant, Ronan Gillespie, who advised;
“While each business on the programme had its own objectives, for Dragon Nutrition for example the priority is to get a foothold in Britain, for Homestyle Meats, it is new product development, it was great to see the way the worked together sharing ideas and experiences throughout. These businesses are at the forefront of making things happen, driving change, and turning the economic situation into a business opportunity for themselves”.

Godfrey Lydon, Food and Drink Manager with the IEA, is responsible for developing the innovative ‘Cluster’ training programme and coordinating its delivery. He explains that a targeted approach to training is particularly important at SME-level.

“The ‘Channel Clusters Development Programme’ provides a comprehensive array of business development supports for Ireland’s emerging food brands. By assisting food businesses at SME-level, we’re not only giving them the tools to expand their presence in the home market but we’re also helping to create strong, outward looking businesses that are geared for future growth.

Success at an early stage gives added drive to companies and the confidence to pursue export opportunities over the short to medium term. This is vital because, with a population of just 4 million people, SMEs need to look beyond our shores to continue to grow and develop. So, by assisting these companies, we’re laying the foundations for businesses that will create jobs, enhance communities and assist in the country’s export led recovery”, Lydon states.