Ashers Bakery In Export Breakthrough

Award winning Ashers Baking Co, based in Newtownabbey in County Antrim, has won a first export order with a potential value of over £75,000 for a range of home baked products.

The company, which has gained awards for its products including its rich fruit loaf, has signed a deal with V F Foods in Dublin, a leading foodservice business in the Greater Dublin area. VF will be supplying the bakery's products to public sector organisations in the Republic.

The contract is an important breakthrough for the company which has been implementing a growth strategy based on an expansion of sales in the Republic over the past year. The company expects further growth there next year.

Colin McArthur, Managing Director of Ashers Bakery, commenting on the contract, said: "The market in Northern Ireland is static and like all other companies the supermarket shelves are full of competitive products struggling for space.

"What we are trying to do is introduce more consumers to our quality products especially in the Republic where Dublin, our market research indicates, offers huge potential for us.

"This is our first of several export-led initiatives that we are taking as we have realised that to grow we must establish a position new markets. Listening to consumer demand has always been at the heart of our business model and we hope next to move into Great Britain.

"We were helped to pinpoint new business in the Republic by Shane McArdle, Invest Northern Ireland's Food Sector Marketing Advisor there. We followed the lead with VF and secured the business because of the outstanding quality and value for money of the products we are able to offer," he said.

Formed in 1995 by Colin and wife Karen, Ashers has developed a solid business base in Northern Ireland. It recently extended its business to cover County Fermanagh.

Next year will also see the launch of another web-based initiative by the bakery with a range of celebration cakes.

Mr McArthur added: "The way consumers shop is changing and we need to tap into the on-line market."

Ashers Baking Company currently employs 72 people at its modern bakery in Newtownabbey. The company bakes a broad range of products including fruit loaves, barmbrack, scones and sausage rolls.

Mr McArthur was recently chosen as the Newtownabbey Business Person of the Year.