Fudge business targets coffee houses with new product

Blackthorn Foods, the Northern Irish manufacturer of the Melting Pot handmade fudge range, is to launch a new product aimed at coffee shops and tea houses in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.

The artisan company, based in Belfast, has developed a 22g finger fudge, which will be available in three flavours, as a quick snack with coffee and tea. Blackthorn, run by three sisters, Jenny Lowry, Cathy Johnston and Dorothy Bittles, has signed a deal with Fine Foods to handle distribution of the new fudge in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Blackthorn is also seeking a distributor in Great Britain, where the company's existing range of fudge bars is handled by Hider Foods and is retailed in upmarket outlets such as Partridges in London.

The company has also launched Luxury Toffees, a caramel product with Belgian chocolate. Blackthorn Foods was formed in 2004 by the entrepreneurial trio - they had previously owed a successful packaged salad business in Northern Ireland.

Jenny Lowry says: "The agreement with Fine Foods is a key element of our strategic focus on expanding our sales throughout the island of Ireland. The distributor, which is based in Lisburn, county Antrim, has a significant network across the island including the type of coffee houses and cafes that we have targeted for the new finger fudge bar.

"The finger fudge is among a series of new products that we are planning to launch during 2015 to enable us to grow our business in key markets such the UK, Republic of Ireland and further afield. Market demand for the old fashioned fudge that's handcrafted using only natural ingredients is growing strongly in Europe and further afield.

"We'll be marketing new and existing fudge products at major international shows next year including Alimentaria in Barcelona, Gulfood in Dubai and ANUGA in Cologne.

"We've seen business in Europe grow significantly over the past year and are determined to build on this success by strengthening our position in markets that we've penetrated and to explore opportunities developing in new markets such as the Middle East."

As well as investing in new products, Blackthorn Foods is supporting the export drive by the introduction of new production systems including a flow packaging line for its redesigned packaging.

The family business has also secured a series of quality awards for its entire fudge range including a string of UK Great Taste Awards.