BITE GROUP AIMS FOR A BIGGER SLICE OF FOOD MARKET

Northern Ireland based Bite Group, a specialist in fresh sandwiches, wraps and deli fillings for convenience stores and hot counters, is aiming to grow its business throughout the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland from a £2 million state-of-the-art factory that is BRC Grade A accredited. The company, based in Enniskillen, the heart of Bite's established distribution network throughout the island of Ireland, has developed its range of sandwiches, sandwich fillings, tortilla wraps, rolls, and paninis, including its branded gourmet ???Bite Style' range, to meet the growing demand for its broad range of quality ???grab and go' products. The factory development, which has included the latest automated production equipment and state-of-the-art chill room storage, serves major food retailers such as Dunnes Stores on a daily basis by means of depots in, Belfast, Athlone and Cahir in Tipperary by its fleet of refrigerated vehicles. Further depots are planned in Dublin and Galway. Bite Group also distributes food products throughout the island of Ireland under contract from other companies including international chains. In addition, the company is currently assessing opportunities for its products in Great Britain. Michael Keogh, Bite Group Managing Director, who founded the company in 1998, says: ???Our market research has indicated a substantial market opportunity for us because of our focus on fast response customer services and commitment to innovation in terms of new product offerings virtually every month. ???Service, innovation and a longstanding commitment to fresh, quality ingredients give us an edge in what has become an intensely competitive marketplace. We aim to expand our business throughout the island of Ireland and in to Great Britain by offering customers consistently high quality products backed by superb service. ???Close contact with leading customers is maintained by our team of key account managers on a daily basis. This strategy enables us to keep abreast of and respond quickly to market trends and the requirements of customers. ???This focus is being appreciated increasingly by supermarkets which are under intense pressure, especially in the Republic, to reduce packaging waste,??? he adds.The continuing investment in new facilities, innovative products and customer service means Bite Group is geared for even faster growth in its target markets both as a supplier of its own extensive product range and through the distribution services it offers other food businesses. Bite Group's success demonstrates the values embedded in the recently launched ???Northern Ireland Good Food Is In Our Nature??? campaign.