TS Foods wins first Tesco business in Great Britain
TS Foods, the Northern Irish specialist in fresh and chilled stuffingand other convenience foods, has won its first business from Tesco in Great Britain. The family business, which is based at Castlewellan in county Down, already supplies stuffing products to Tesco in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
The new deal with Tesco in Britain has seen TS Foods supply the retailer with a standard range,Sage and Onion Stuffing Balls,as well as a Tesco Finest Wild Sage and Buttered Onion Stuffing.
The RRP for the standard range is £2.39 for a 336g pack and £2.49 for the Finest range in a 225g pack.
TS has begun supplying both product ranges to Tesco. The standard range offers fresh breadcrumb stuffing formed into balls for convenience, a hassle-free product that is seen as the perfect accompaniment to any roast. The stuffing is also meat-free and is suitable for Vegetarians.
Commercial director Joanne Molloy, says the stuffing for the Finest range is produced from premium ingredients including onions are sautéed in the real Irish butter for a more rich intense flavour. "The Wild Sage and Buttered Onion Stuffing uses traditional slow-baked farmhouse loaves, with onions sautéed in butter, wild sage, sea salt and cracked black pepper.
"We've developed both products in liaison with the Tesco GB team and are delighted to be supplying both to stores throughout Britain. The deal carries forward our longstanding relationship with Tesco in Ireland and positions us to work with the retailer in Britain on other products from our portfolio as well as the fresh stuffing.
"Securing the new business with Tesco to supply chilled stuffing under the Tesco brands is a very exciting development for the company in a market that we have targeted for growth."
TS Foods recently announced a £600,000 expansion to enable it to expand production of existing products and develop new ideas in association with Tesco and other leading retailers. This will provide 20 new jobs in addition to the 49 people currently employed by the family-owned and managed company.
"The expansion, in addition, will provide opportunities in Northern Ireland for our suppliers. More than 40 per cent of goods, including ingredients, and services associated with this expansion will be locally sourced. We expect that 80 per cent of the expenditure on developing, modernising facilities and revamping the existing production areas to increase productivity and efficiency will involve other local companies," added Mrs Molloy.
TS Foods was formed in 1978 by husband and wife team Tony and Ann Steele to produce a range of convenience foods including the well- known 'Tony's Chippy Pastie'.
The company, which has Grade A quality accreditation from the British Retail Consortium, has expanded its frozen and chilled product range for both retail and foodservice clients in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain.