Chinese deal for biscuits from Northern Irish baker
Irwin's Bakery in Northern Ireland has won its first business in
China. The company, based at Craigavon in county Armagh, has signed a six-figure deal to supply a range of premium Irish biscuits
created specifically for the Chinese market.
The deal with China Merchants Food, the food division of the state-
owned China Merchants Group, will see 500,000 packs a year of Irwin's new biscuits stocked in stores across China. Customers for the
biscuits are expected to be local Chinese as well as the expat
community.
The range, which is based on traditional Irish recipes and flavour
combinations, includes All Butter, Oat Original, Oat Strawberry,
Oat Honey & Raisin, Shortbread Original and Shortbread Chocolate
Chip.
Brendan Lappin, Irwin's Bakery business development manager, says:
"This is a very significant contract for us because it gives us an
excellent platform for further growth in this important marketplace.
"From research stage to receiving the signed contract, the process
took around two years, which included recipe development and the
creation of bespoke packaging for the Chinese consumer.
"There is a high level of demand for premium imported products in
China. Our first order was shipped at the start of November."
He adds: "This deal gives Irwin's an opportunity to build on the
strength of our existing export contracts to secure further businessin global markets."
Irwin's is Northern Ireland's biggest independent bakery.
The company remains family-owned. Founded in 1912, Irwin's employs 450 people.
China. The company, based at Craigavon in county Armagh, has signed a six-figure deal to supply a range of premium Irish biscuits
created specifically for the Chinese market.
The deal with China Merchants Food, the food division of the state-
owned China Merchants Group, will see 500,000 packs a year of Irwin's new biscuits stocked in stores across China. Customers for the
biscuits are expected to be local Chinese as well as the expat
community.
The range, which is based on traditional Irish recipes and flavour
combinations, includes All Butter, Oat Original, Oat Strawberry,
Oat Honey & Raisin, Shortbread Original and Shortbread Chocolate
Chip.
Brendan Lappin, Irwin's Bakery business development manager, says:
"This is a very significant contract for us because it gives us an
excellent platform for further growth in this important marketplace.
"From research stage to receiving the signed contract, the process
took around two years, which included recipe development and the
creation of bespoke packaging for the Chinese consumer.
"There is a high level of demand for premium imported products in
China. Our first order was shipped at the start of November."
He adds: "This deal gives Irwin's an opportunity to build on the
strength of our existing export contracts to secure further businessin global markets."
Irwin's is Northern Ireland's biggest independent bakery.
The company remains family-owned. Founded in 1912, Irwin's employs 450 people.