2009
The new support scheme will channel €800 thousand over 3 years into assisting Irish food and drink producers develop structured supply processes, and new products to meet the demands of the retailers and distribution companies in the UK and Ireland. The programme is supported mainly by the EU, with valuable additional support from Enterprise Ireland and Bord Bia. The scheme called "Channel Clusters" aims to assist small, rapidly developing Irish food and drink companies to grow their sales, improve their marketing performance and develop their business potential.
The Channel Clusters Programme will involve a minimum of 30 companies in Ireland. Each participating company will receive extensive one-to-one mentoring over a 12 month period, led by an industry expert, selected by the IEA.
The programme will provide companies with expertise to manage the new market expectations arising from the recession, including new product development (NDP) to meet the emerging consumer requirements, backed by consumer market research to support these developments.
Godfrey Lydon, Manager Food and Drink Division with the Irish Exporters Association, who will be managing the project, stated that: "The Channel Clusters Programme is the complete package of assistance for food and drink companies trying to make the break-through in terms of sales growth and product and brand development."
"There are many advantages that the programme offers", says Lydon, such as
� Identifying gaps in the market for Irish food and drink products.
� Exchange of innovation and management practices.
� Pooling of resources, including sharing of marketing and distribution costs
� Optimising on delivery processes regarding inventory forecasting.
� New channel management tools for companies.
Bernard Coyle, Chairman of the IEA's Food and Drink Export Ireland Council, stated:
"The programme is particularly relevant in the current depressed climate. At this time, more than ever, small food companies need hands-on expertise and assistance to get their product onto shelf and keep it there. The Channel Clusters Programme will provide this. With the knowledge and skills gained on this programme, companies will be in a much better position to meet the challenges ahead."
This is an Ireland Wales European Regional Development Funded Project and will be delivered in partnership with Menter a Busnes, Wales. During the programme, participating companies will also be brought together with a cluster of Welsh companies, with the aim of securing shelf space and sales for Irish brands in UK stores.
Interested Food & Drink SME's should contact:
Godfrey Lydon, Manager - Food & Drink Division, Irish Exporters Association at godfreylydon@irishexporters.org
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