Ormo Bakery joins forces with other Northern Ireland companies to drive innovation

Ormo, one of Northern Ireland's iconic brands, has joined forces with two of Northern Ireland's successful agri-food brands, Mash Direct and Ballyrashane Buttermilk, to extend its bakery product range.

Baked in Belfast since 1875, the Ormo brand strives to deliver great taste and quality and is enjoyed by families of all ages across Northern Ireland. All products are baked to recipes using some of Northern Ireland's local ingredients.

The Ormo range is subjected to independent testing against its core competitive set, working with Loughry College in Cookstown, allowing the New Product Development team to assess ongoing quality and ensure that the range maintains its optimum appeal to our customers and consumers alike.

Trevor McCrum, commercial director of Hovis Ireland, which licenses the Ormo brand, explains the importance of product development in terms of driving growth:

"Ormo has enjoyed significant, annual growth over the last two years in both value and volume performance in Northern Ireland. The brand has grown by 30 percent and 29 percent in value and unit terms respectively.Brand growth has been driven by continuous product improvements to our core range including pancakes and soda farls. September 2018 sees the launch of Ormo's new softer rolls.

Mr McCrum adds: "Our new product development team has created three outstanding products; Buttermilk Wheaten Bread, Original Potato Farls and Champ Potato Farls - each giving a unique and distinctive taste that we hope our customers will enjoy!"

Ormo Original Potato Farls and Champ Potato Farls use mash and champ from Mash Direct, which is based in Comber, county Down, to give a smooth and creamy taste every time. The potato farls are ideal for various meal occasions, for example, with an Ulster Fry or with smoked salmon, cream cheese and chives for a light snack.

Meanwhile, Ormo Buttermilk Wheaten Bread is made using Ballyrashane buttermilk from Coleraine in county Derry, topped with sweetened, roasted oats to give a distinctive crunchy taste. The wheaten bread is ideal served with a hearty winter soup or a wholesome green salad.

The new Ormo range will be supported by an extensive launch programme, including a Northern Ireland wide outdoor campaign, in store point of sale (POS), trade press and sampling.

The Ormo range has both strength and depth in its extensive range that includes everything from fruit loaves and pancakes, to rolls and potato farls, all of which can be enjoyed at any time of the day.

Pic: Linking up from left, Mash Direct marketing director Jack Hamilton, Hovis Ireland commercial director Trevor McCrum and LacPatrick Dairies Ltd. business development Mmnager Brendan Lappin.