Tesco NI deal for Glens of Antrim Crisps

Glens of Antrim Crisps in Cushendall, Co Antrim has secured a new contract to supply its full range of Hand Cooked Potato Crisps to Tesco’s 35 stores across Northern Ireland.

The deal is the first time the company’s branded range will be available on the shelves of a major supermarket in Northern Ireland.

Glens of Antrim already supplies its branded crisps to the independent retail and hospitality sectors in Northern Ireland. It also produces own-label crisps for Tesco in the Republic of Ireland under the supermarket’s Finest range.

In addition, Glens’ branded crisps are exported to key markets including Dubai, Singapore, Malaysia and South Korea.

The Glens of Antrim Crisp division is part of the Glens of Antrim Potato business, established in 1972 by the McKillops, a third-generation Co Antrim farming family.

Over the last 10 years, the entrepreneurial family has explored a range of new product and market developments, culminating in an investment of £900,000 in its own potato crisp processing and packaging plant in 2015. A further spend of £500,000 is planned over the next four months.

“The Northern Ireland market is highly discerning when it comes to potato crisp consumption, with product quality and taste being the two factors which differentiate one brand from another,” said Mary McKillop, director, Glens of Antrim Crisps.

“To address this, we have invested heavily in new product development, consumer research and market trends to ensure our range not only stands out on shelf but delivers on the palate.

“Added to this we are a Northern Ireland-based business, with strong links to our farming community and are committed to sourcing locally. Today marks an important first step for Glens of Antrim Crisps and Tesco and we look forward to developing our partnership in the months ahead.”

Michael Crealey, Tesco buying manager for Northern Ireland, said: “We’re proud to support local companies such as Glens of Antrim which is so well established within Northern Ireland’s agri-food sector. The range now available in our Northern Ireland stores is a welcome addition to our crisp and snack offering, giving our customers even greater choice, quality and value.”

Mary McKillop and Amy Stewart from Glens of Antrim Crisps with Tesco NI’s Michael Crealey