Right ingredients for ‘Oscar’ success
THE achievements of companies in the Irish food and drink industry were celebrated in style at the sector's Oscar awards in the Mansion House, Dublin.
Food & Drink Industry Ireland at IBEC and Allied Irish Banks teamed up with Bord Bia to sponsor the awards in six categories.
Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan, who made the presentations, said that being nominated was nearly as good as getting the Oscar. "You all share the vital ingredients of success consumer understanding, creativity, strategic thinking and most importantly perhaps, resilience and endurance. A winning combination in any area of business."
Ms Coughlan said that the food sector was central and important to the country's economic well-being as it accounted for over 20% of net foreign earnings.
The Irish food and drinks industry has output of €16 billion. Products are sold in over 170 countries with exports valued at €7.15 billion.
Aidan Cotter, chief executive of Bord Bia, said the awards publicised the successes of the food and drink industry here and would allow others to benchmark their efforts against the best in class.
The director of Food and Drink Industry Ireland at IBEC, Ms Rosemary Garth, said despite the fact that the food industry was operating in an increasingly difficult environment with increased costs, a heavy regulatory burden and ever-changing consumer needs it continued to excel as Ireland's most important indigenous sector.
Ms Fidelma Griffin, head of food and agriculture for AIB Corporate Banking Ireland, said the Irish food and drink sector was a vibrant industry, underpinned by creativity and technological advancement, which put Ireland to the fore on the world stage.
* The award winner in the Innovation Awards category went to Kepak for its Global Cuisine initiative which was praised for offering a unique consumer concept and created a new market category for fully cooked meat. Its product offered the consumer the convenience and quality of a Sunday roast without the time constraints and stress. Within six months of launch the product was listed with all major Irish multiples and the British convenience channel. Retailers' expectations have been exceeded in these markets.
* Silver Hill was announced as the winner in the Brand Marketing Award Category. The judges found evidence of real creative thinking in the company's decision to approach the European market for duckling within the Chinese ethnic sector. The route to market involved a close and intimate involvement with the communities the company intended to reach. Silver Hill's drive for dominance of these "Chinatown" markets is such that it has now achieved a 95% market share for this category across Europe worth some €7.5 million in 2004.
* C&C Ireland was the winner in the Corporate Social Responsibility Award Category. It demonstrated commitment to CSR in the area of energy-saving and waste improvement. C&C has put in place a CSR Champion along with a CSR working party, demonstrating a top-down commitment to establishing best practice in areas related to the environment, to its workforce, to the community and to its customers.
* Michael Carey, managing director of Jacob Fruitfield Food Group was announced winner of the Entrepreneur Award. His accomplishments include completing complex business deals, the financial turn-around and brand rejuvenation of Fruitfield Foods and integrating two complex businesses to achieve strong financial performances. Key to the successful implementation of Michael Carey's vision was his clear strategic thinking and the ability to implement an extraordinary volume of change in a consistent matter and with unusual pace.
* Lily O'Brien's (chocolate) won the Trailblazer Award for exporting. The company has achieved year-on-year turnover growth every year since 1992, to a present position of roughly €11 million. A major contributor to this growth has been the development of branded exports to the British market over the last 24 months. The decision was taken in 2003 to focus on growing sales of the brand in the British market, with sales growth of over 50% achieved in this year, fuelled by both the retail and food service sectors. These positive trends continued in 2004, with a further increase of 65% in year-on-year sales. This year marks the first time that Lily O'Brien's branded products have been listed in every major British retailer, a phenomenal success in a relatively short time frame.
* J & L Grubb, Fethard, Co Tipperary, makers of the celebrated Cashel Blue cheese, was winner of the Small Business Award. Grubb's development of an award-winning, branded product which has developed strong export markets, sustaining year-on-year growth is a model of successful food innovation and business development. The company's continuous investment in quality systems, export markets and brand management is impressive. The introduction of the next generation of the family indicates a strong future.
