Northern Irish coffee roaster to build on centenary of success
Johnsons, the Northern Irish coffee roaster, is aiming to mark its centenary this year by driving sales of its range of branded products to customers in Britain, the Republic, other parts of Europe and the US.
The company is now Ireland's oldest family owned roasting business and has developed a strong customer base for its established brands that include Bellagio Espresso and Irel, one of the first liquid essences coffees, a product first introduced in 1913.
Now a fourth generation family business that's based at Lisburn in County Antrim, Johnsons sells coffee particularly to grocery and hospitality sector customers in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland, England and the Isle of Man. It has also secured business from independent grocery outlets in the US.
Philip Mills, group sales director at Johnsons, says: "Our sales have accelerated greatly during the last 25 years as demand for quality coffee has grown. In 2013, we intend to strengthen our position in existing markets and to explore new opportunities particularly in the US and Europe. For instance, we will be taking part in the forthcoming Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco to help widen our sales and distribution network.
"As well as re-launching the Irel product for export, we've invested extensive in the redesign, production and support of our Johnsons & Bellagio Espresso brands, all of which are roasted at our premises in Northern Ireland.
"Our beans are all sourced from suppliers we've worked with for many years.
Customers, therefore, can count on consistently high quality products with provenance from a company with a heritage in coffee roasting.
"In addition to the roasting and supply of coffee, we recognised that supplying the hospitality industry in particular is no longer about coffee delivery and our package on offer now includes filter and espresso brewing equipment, maintenance service, barista training, account sales management and marketing brand support."
The company was established in 1893 by brothers Henry and Robert Johnson to import and sell fine groceries and pharmaceutical products. Their first experience within the coffee market was in 1910 when a sales agency was agreed for a liquid coffee essence branded 'Kit'.
After a few successful years, and with the encouragement and advice from the folk at Kit coffee, the Johnson brothers decided to manufacture a product in Northern Ireland. In 1913, Irel Coffee was launched. Like the product formerly sold, Irel (first four letters of Ireland) was a liquid coffee essence, pre sweetened with added sugar.
Irel was an immediate success and initial experience and shrewd judgement formed a brand ethos for quality and this transferred across to Irel whole bean and ground coffees which extended the range.
As the Great Depression impacted upon the global economy, DP Johnson, second generation management, developed sales of the range beyond the hitherto grocery sector into the hotel and cafe outlets of Belfast and beyond. It was not uncommon for foodservice outlets to buy many weeks supply on a single delivery due to the logistical difficulties of the time, and the third generation of Michael and Patrick Johnson saw this as an opportunity for improved product quality.
The vacuum packed coffee tin that allowed the consumer to enjoy fresh coffee long after purchase was introduced, a feature also found on the later form fill oxygen free valve pack - the first of its kind in the UK and Ireland. In 2012, Johnsons Coffee was awarded a "Great Taste Award" from the guild of master foods.