Deli Lites Ireland in deal with Boots Ireland

Deli Lites Ireland has secured a new contract with one of Ireland's leading retailers. The company has been awarded the new contract to provide Boots Ireland with a local 'food to go' solution across a network of its stores.

Based in Warrenpoint in County Down, Deli Lites Ireland was awarded its first business from Boots Ireland in a competitive tender. It has started supplying a broad range of products including gourmet sandwiches, flatbreads, wraps, filled rolls, packaged salads and fresh fruit pots. Boots currently has 80 stores in the Republic of Ireland.

Brian Reid, managing director of Deli Lites Ireland, the market leading food business for cafes and convenience outlets throughout the island of Ireland he formed in 1999, says: "We are delighted to have won this contract from one of the most important retailers in Ireland.

"The new contract is a marvellous endorsement of both the quality of our products and of the customer-led service that has become our hallmark over 20 years in business.

"What's also important is the boost for our sales outside Northern Ireland. The Republic of Ireland, for instance, contributes over 60 per cent of our business. It's a hugely important market that offers significant growth potential.

"We secured the business because of our established and successful track record in the Republic for the supply of consistently high quality products, our sharp focus on developing innovative food with our customers and the efficiency of our delivery services using our 35-strong vehicle fleet.

"Customers also appreciate the benefits in terms of fresh and tasty breads that we are able to supply from our own bakery here in Warrenpoint," he adds.

Commenting on the contract for Deli Lites Ireland, Gavin Rooney, commercial manager, Boots Ireland, says: "The bid from Deli Lites Ireland was compelling. The company demonstrated a willingness to work as closely as possible with our food team in developing a comprehensive range of products that will appeal to our customers and also enhance our 'food-to-go' offering

"In addition, Deli Lites Ireland has the logistical capability to deliver consistently high quality products to our stores every day across the country," he adds.

As well as its main production and new product development operations at Warrenpoint, located close to major motorway networks, Deli Lites has depots in Dublin and Cork.

The company employs 185 people in Warrenpoint and has other high profile food solution clients in the Republic including the Costa chain of cafes and Applegreen's network of fuel forecourts.

Pic Caption:Biting into the Irish 'Food on the Go' Market: A sandwich bite view of Brian Reid (right), managing director of Deli Lites Ireland, with Gavin Rooney, commercial director of Boots Ireland. Deli Lites Ireland has won the contract to supply sandwiches and other convenience foods to the network of Boots stores in the Republic of Ireland