Riverview Eggs brings in Smiddy to develop its expansion plans

MUNSTER’s largest egg producer Riverview Eggs has recruited entrepreneur Alf Smiddy as its chairman to develop the company’s growth strategy.

Having had a long association with the Kelleher family, owners of Riverview Eggs, the former Beamish & Crawford chairman and managing director has been brought in to deliver on the company’s growth plans.

Mr Smiddy said: “I have known the Kelleher family for many years, and they are a great family. They are wonderful people, with a great work ethic, and I was delighted to be asked to work with them in an advisory, non-executive role.

“I am from an agri background myself. The money I earned working for Dan Joe and Margaret Kelleher put me through college. Any family business will reach a phase where it seeks outside help, generally when it is passing from one generation to another.”

Husband and wife team, Dan Joe and Margaret Kelleher began egg production in 1966 to supplement the farm income. They started with 700 hens in a barn at the home farm in Whites Cross on the outskirts of Cork city. It is now is the largest producer/packer in the Munster area, stocking stores almost nationwide.

The business grew its sales through country markets, shops and bakeries. When Dan Joe passed away, Margaret assumed control of the business.

Today, Riverview Eggs is still a family-run business. Dan Joe and Margaret’s son, DJ, is the managing director. Their daughter Mary is the financial controller.

Riverview eggs now supplies some of the chief supermarket groups in Ireland including; SuperValu, Centra, Dunnes Stores, Tesco, as well as Spar, Londis, MACE, and CostCutters. It also supplies many wholesale groups, hotels, restaurants, bakeries and catering outlets.

Alf Smiddy adds: “Riverview Eggs is a very creative and progressive company. The business transferred to DJ and Mary Kelleher in recent years. They want to see if they can strengthen their business through my appointment.

“They want the business to develop. They know that I have a lot of experience in the fast-moving consumer goods area, as well as in sales and marketing.

“Riverview Eggs has a lot of new and exciting ideas for the business going forward. The food sector is an exciting place to be right now, and I want to help the company deliver on its plans to innovate in the way it deals with its customers.”

Riverview Eggs employs 15 people at its main facility. The business sustains around another 20 people indirectly through logistics and distribution, plus a further 60 on egg-producing farms.