Northern Irish Companies Milk Success through Innovation
Around Noon, the Northern Ireland specialist in premium sandwiches and snacks, has linked up with Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt, another local artisan business, to develop an innovative breakfast 'on the go' product for clients in the Republic of Ireland.
The new product, part of Around Noon's quirky 'A Bit on the Side' portfolio of quality snacks has already won significant business with a leading caf? chain in the Republic, features Clandeboye Greek Style Yoghurt with layers of nut free granola and a rich fruit compote developed by the Newry business, now a leader Irish innovator in quality convenience and snack foods. The compote is currently available in mango and strawberry flavours in a handy tub.
Both companies are based in County Down - Around Noon in Newry and Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt in Bangor.
David Graham, Around Noon's Executive Head Chef, commenting on the new yoghurt granola product, says: "We saw a gap in the market for a top quality and richly flavoured snack product for breakfast and other times in the day.
"Flavour was key as far as we were concerned. All the components had to be excellent especially the yoghurt. This focus on product quality and taste underpins our approach to all our products. We opted for Clandeboye Greek Style because it's a strained yoghurt which provides a thick and creamy taste.
"We were also keen to work with another local company, another important consideration in our business approach. Most of our products now use ingredients and other supplies from other Northern Ireland companies.
"Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt works exceptionally well with the other quality ingredients to provide a delicious snack at breakfast or indeed any time of the day or night. It's proving to be extremely popular with our customers in the Republic. Our objective now is to grow sales in Britain using the quality and taste of the snack pot and other products," he continues.
"We are operating in a very fast moving sector that's driven by the demands and preferences of consumers who look to our customers for deliciously different taste experiences.
"One of our great strengths is that all our snacks are still handmade. This gives us the flexibility to be able to respond quickly to the requirements of our customers seeking to attract more consumers by offering them different taste," he adds.
Bryan Boggs, Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt's general manager, says: "We were delighted to work in partnership with Around Noon in helping to create the new snack pots featuring our thick and creamy Greek style yoghurt."
Around Noon, a family-owned and managed business has been growing strongly particularly in the Republic of Ireland, where it achieved 40 per cent growth last year. Overall, sales to all markets have grown by an average of 35 per cent year-on-year over the past three years.
Formed by husband and wife team Francis and Sheila Chambers in 1989 as a kitchen table enterprise, Around Noon has developed into one of Ireland's most enterprising food businesses. It operates from a 27,000 sq ft state-of-the-art production complex outside Newry.
The company now employs 230 people and has a portfolio of 600 products including sandwiches, wraps and paninis along with salads, smoothies, juices and desserts.
Northern Ireland Food and Drink companies are celebrating the regions pure, natural, quality food and drink in 2016, with a series of local, national, and international promotional events
Meeting the suppliers, left, David Graham, Around Noon's executive head chef, with Bryan Boggs, Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt's general manager
The new product, part of Around Noon's quirky 'A Bit on the Side' portfolio of quality snacks has already won significant business with a leading caf? chain in the Republic, features Clandeboye Greek Style Yoghurt with layers of nut free granola and a rich fruit compote developed by the Newry business, now a leader Irish innovator in quality convenience and snack foods. The compote is currently available in mango and strawberry flavours in a handy tub.
Both companies are based in County Down - Around Noon in Newry and Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt in Bangor.
David Graham, Around Noon's Executive Head Chef, commenting on the new yoghurt granola product, says: "We saw a gap in the market for a top quality and richly flavoured snack product for breakfast and other times in the day.
"Flavour was key as far as we were concerned. All the components had to be excellent especially the yoghurt. This focus on product quality and taste underpins our approach to all our products. We opted for Clandeboye Greek Style because it's a strained yoghurt which provides a thick and creamy taste.
"We were also keen to work with another local company, another important consideration in our business approach. Most of our products now use ingredients and other supplies from other Northern Ireland companies.
"Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt works exceptionally well with the other quality ingredients to provide a delicious snack at breakfast or indeed any time of the day or night. It's proving to be extremely popular with our customers in the Republic. Our objective now is to grow sales in Britain using the quality and taste of the snack pot and other products," he continues.
"We are operating in a very fast moving sector that's driven by the demands and preferences of consumers who look to our customers for deliciously different taste experiences.
"One of our great strengths is that all our snacks are still handmade. This gives us the flexibility to be able to respond quickly to the requirements of our customers seeking to attract more consumers by offering them different taste," he adds.
Bryan Boggs, Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt's general manager, says: "We were delighted to work in partnership with Around Noon in helping to create the new snack pots featuring our thick and creamy Greek style yoghurt."
Around Noon, a family-owned and managed business has been growing strongly particularly in the Republic of Ireland, where it achieved 40 per cent growth last year. Overall, sales to all markets have grown by an average of 35 per cent year-on-year over the past three years.
Formed by husband and wife team Francis and Sheila Chambers in 1989 as a kitchen table enterprise, Around Noon has developed into one of Ireland's most enterprising food businesses. It operates from a 27,000 sq ft state-of-the-art production complex outside Newry.
The company now employs 230 people and has a portfolio of 600 products including sandwiches, wraps and paninis along with salads, smoothies, juices and desserts.
Northern Ireland Food and Drink companies are celebrating the regions pure, natural, quality food and drink in 2016, with a series of local, national, and international promotional events
Meeting the suppliers, left, David Graham, Around Noon's executive head chef, with Bryan Boggs, Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt's general manager