FRESH MILK ON T’APP
Fresh Milk on T’App
The new Mymilkman App from GI looks set to bring the service to a wider customer base
Consumers across Ireland are increasingly shopping online, with significant growth in grocery e-commerce over the last two years which has seen the market share doubling to 4.5% of all sales.
Due to the various health precautions people have taken due to the Covid-19 pandemic, combined with the convenience of home delivery, consumer demand has seen the number of retailers offering online delivery services increase.
GI’s Mymilkman.ie has been delivering fresh milk to customers’ doors for over 10 years. The total Doorstep home delivery business accounts for 20% of total consumer branded milk sales.
In an increasingly competitive online environment, many new app-based services have been emerging to meet the demands of consumers who prefer purchasing through apps over websites. The Mymilkman.ie team listened to consumers’ needs for convenience and flexibility and in Q4 2021, the new Mymilkman consumer app was launched!
Talking to Overherd at Glanbia Ireland about the app, Robert Jordan, Doorstep Channel Lead said: “The Mymilkman app provides all the advantages of the service at the tap of a button with key features including easy account and order management, simple access to promotions and special offers and enhanced product browsing. At the same time, apps lead to bigger baskets, more purchases and better loyalty, so this is a win-win for everybody.”
Robert went on to say: “The Mymilkman service has experienced big growth in the last two years, with a 25% increase in customers using the platform to 70,000. We know the availability of an app will help increase our sign-up rates, so we are planning to increase our online customer base further in 2022.”
The introduction of the Mymilkman app completes a trilogy of technology deployments for the Doorstep Channel, following the launch of the promotions function last April and the new website in June of 2021.
Receive a €10 credit when you sign up to Mymilkman.ie using the new APP
You can manage delivery of your essentials on the go by downloading the mymilkman app and signing up as a new customer. If you’re away from home and forgot to pause your order, just open the app and press pause. Expecting guests over the weekend? just top up on your weekly order.
GLANBIA CO-OP AND GLANBIA IRELAND DONATE €20,000 TO UNICEF
Glanbia Co-op and Glanbia Ireland Chairman John Murphy, right, delivers a donation of €20,000 on behalf of Glanbia farmers to UNICEF Ireland Executive Director, Peter Power, for their ‘Get a Vaccine, Give a Vaccine’ campaign.
With the support of Glanbia Ireland, Co-op Members and many other supporters worldwide, UNICEF aims to reach 3 billion COVID-19 vaccine deliveries to the most vulnerable families, health workers and high-risk people on our planet by the end of 2022. Picture credit; Damien Eagers NO FEE
Glanbia Co-op and Glanbia Ireland donate €20,000 to UNICEF
Glanbia farmers have made a €20,000 donation to UNICEF Ireland’s ‘Get a Vaccine, Give a Vaccine’ campaign, joining the race to end COVID-19 pandemic.
The campaign supports UNICEF’s role in the global COVID-19 vaccine rollout, or COVAX facility, and is the biggest vaccine procurement and distribution drive in history.
Peter Power, UNICEF Ireland Executive Director, said: “UNICEF is currently leading the largest-ever vaccine procurement and supply operation, as part of the global COVAX facility. Vaccinating the entire world can only be done at the scale UNICEF offers. COVID-19 vaccines are rolling out at pace, with over 975 million doses delivered to 144 countries via the COVAX facility so far.”
With the support of Glanbia Ireland, Co-op Members and many other supporters worldwide, UNICEF aims to reach 3 billion COVID-19 vaccine deliveries to the most vulnerable families, health workers and high-risk people on our planet by the end of 2022.
Glanbia Ireland and Glanbia Co-op Chairman, John Murphy, said: “COVID-19 has impacted all of our lives. It has been a tough and a challenging time for all of us. But the impact has been even greater in less developed parts of the world where vaccines are not available and the most vulnerable families, health workers and high-risk people have suffered even more.
“Our Co-op roots run deep in all of our communities. Our Board therefore felt that it is only fitting that we would do our best to ensure that the world’s most vulnerable people are not at further risk, and that Glanbia Co-op and Glanbia Ireland would make a €20,000 donation to the UNICEF programme on behalf of our farm families. Nobody is safe until everyone is safe and no child is safe until everyone they rely on is safe,” the Chairman said.
UNICEF has spent 75 years saving children’s lives and fighting for their rights. The organisation has been coordinating vaccine delivery to communities globally since 1948 and as a result has the cold chain and other critical infrastructure in place which make it uniquely placed to deliver.
“We are proud to have Glanbia and Glanbia Co-op as members of our UNICEF Corporate Vaccine Alliance, and their donation helps us ensure that vaccines get to the most remote and isolated places in the world; that they are stored safely using secure cold chain equipment; that health workers are vaccinated and protected against COVID-19 and that vulnerable families and children receive the life-saving care they need to survive,” said Mr Power.
CHEWING THE CUD WITH… NORMA MOORE
Norma is pictured with Lab Technician Doireann Harding in front of the new TGA instrument in Ballyragget
Chewing the cud with… Norma Moore
Each month, we put the spotlight on a Glanbia Ireland employee and for our January newsletter, we spoke to Norma Moore, Quality Control Manager in the Chemistry Lab at GI’s Ballyragget processing facility.
Norma joined Glanbia Ireland as Head of Quality for the Ballitore site in January 2020 after previously working in both Supply Chain and Quality for Diageo and BC Manufacturing in Kilkenny and Dublin since graduating from college. Joining the company just as the pandemic struck was a challenge at first, but the Ballitore Quality team ‘Found a Better Way’ to ensure they could carry out their tasks while keeping colleagues safe while on site. Having dealt with Glanbia Ireland’s unique products and teams in previous roles Norma was “always keen to join the company” due to the ‘Winning Together’ and ‘Showing Respect’ culture within the company.
In January 2021 Norma moved to the Ballyragget site, taking on the Quality Control Manager role for the Chemistry Lab. “2021 has been an extremely interesting year overall for me, with the Ballyragget site processing record volumes of milk and finished product this year, all of which requires testing, grading, release and the approval of new customers & specifications”, Norma told Overheard. One of the highlights of the year for Norma was working on the delivery of Project Rome and, “collaborating with other sites and departments ensures the job is both exciting and continually changing”.
“What excites me about my role is that it is everchanging! In a typical day, I pop down to the lab to meet the team first thing in the morning. After that we have our Quality calls at 9am each day to assess the current state of play in the lab and following the meeting myself and the team address any issues that are presenting themselves.” In many ways the Quality team ensures Glanbia Ireland products live up to our value of ‘The Customers Champion’. “The bar is always rising with our customers in terms of their product requirements, specifications and GMP expectations and the laboratory has a key role in meeting the contracted volumes to customers including Bel, LactoJapan, Diageo, Russia.”
The month of June is the Quality teams busiest time of year with milk intake at its peak, with this Norma credits her team of 14 who are “the single most important resource within the laboratory. They are highly skilled and work hard to ensure all testing is completed on time in full.” Outside of their prescripted roles the team are “extremely supportive of each other and ensure any new team member feels welcome and part of the team. The support for me from the team on joining Glanbia, Ballyragget this year made my transition so much easier.”
Examples of the tests that are carried out in the chemistry lab are Particle size, Hydration, pH, Sediment, Moisture, Fat, Salt, Ash, Protein, PV, FFA, Nitrates by both rapid and reference methods. New equipment is part of the ongoing improvements in the laboratory and the team continuously engage to deliver!
A NEW YOU FOR 202U
A New You For 202U
Avonmore Slimline has launched a new six week Health & Wellness campaign
It’s fair to say the last couple of years have been challenging in many ways. With that in mind, the team at Avonmore Slimline milk wants to help you and our customers to take a more holistic view of your health this year, so that you can be the best version of yourself! They’re calling it 202U.
To help you on your way, Avonmore Slimline milk has just launched a new campaign built around a 6-week Health & Wellness series. The campaign is aimed at helping you focus on improving your wellness, positivity and vitality so that you can create the you that you want to be in 202U.
To motivate and inspire you, they’ve enlisted the help of three inspirational women who embody the three core themes of the campaign – Nathalie Lennon (Vitality), Jen Carroll (Positivity) and Dr Clodagh Campbell (Wellness). Throughout the 6-week Health & Wellness series, they will be providing useful advice and tips in the areas of fitness, recipes and mindfulness.
To celebrate the series, Avonmore Slimline milk has also launched three special limited edition cartons featuring a QR code which will direct consumers to follow the campaign.
So why not take this opportunity to make some small positive changes in your own life. To get involved, just follow the 202U Health & Wellness series on Avonmore Milk’s Instagram and Facebook pages.
GI IS ‘FRESH PRODUCE SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR’
GI is ‘Fresh Produce Supplier of the Year’
Glanbia Ireland recently picked up the accolade of ‘Fresh Produce Supplier of the Year’ at the inaugural National Grocery Retail Awards
Presented by Checkout Magazine, the new awards are an amalgamation of Ireland’s premier awards for fresh food retailing – the Checkout Best in Fresh awards and the leading awards for suppliers to the industry – the Checkout National Retail Supplier Awards.
At an online ceremony held just before Christmas, Glanbia Ireland was awarded the ‘Fresh Produce Supplier of the Year’ accolade, with the judges remarking that “a thriving fresh produce operation is only as good as the suppliers that service that operation”.
Eoin Doyle, Glanbia Ireland’s Head of Consumer Marketing and Product Management said: “The award is a strong reflection of the quality of our fresh produce from farm to table. Everyone at every stage of our supply chain works to deliver only the best to our customers and special mention should go to the Sales Development team and the Supply Chain teams who manage our retail relationships. Our award-winning brands such as the Avonmore range, Kilmeaden, Wexford and Premier are firm favourites amongst consumers.”
The National Grocery Retail Awards also included a number of new categories, including the award for Ireland’s Retailer of the Year, Best Sustainability Initiative and Best Community Initiative.
Maev Martin, Editor, Checkout magazine said: “The new National Grocery Retail Awards highlight best in class retailing and honour the companies and suppliers that help Ireland’s pioneering stores and retail chains to achieve levels of service and product excellence that set them apart from their competitors.”
You can see the full list of award winners here
PLAYING OUR PART IN RURAL IRELAND
Pictured at the launch of the services were sisters, Mabel Harper (5) and Scarlett Harper (3) along with Paul Byrne, PostPoint National Sales Manager, Brendan Hayes, Glanbia Ireland Vice Chairman and Senan Foley, Head of Retail at Glanbia Ireland. Photo Patrick Browne
Playing Our Part In Rural Ireland
Glanbia Ireland partners with PostPoint to provide a range of convenient services across 11 counties
Glanbia Ireland is collaborating with An Post subsidiary PostPoint to bring a range of convenient services to Glanbia Ireland branches and the rural communities they serve.
Officially launched just before Christmas, the service allows customers to pick up and return their parcels through 18 Glanbia Ireland branches nationwide. Using the long-established PostPoint service, shoppers will be able to collect and return purchases in Glanbia Ireland branches from more than 180 online retailers.
In addition to the parcel collection and return services, all 32 Glanbia Ireland branches will also offer PostPoint services including bill payment, gift cards, stamps, mobile top-up and National Lottery Quickpick and scratch cards.
Paul Byrne, PostPoint National Sales Manager said: “With parcel collections and returns booming in recent years and many more people shopping from home, we’re delighted to partner with Glanbia Ireland to provide a convenient local facility for Irish online shoppers.”
Glanbia Ireland’s local branches are often the heartbeat of many rural communities and offering these services is ‘Living Proof’ of the part we’re playing in helping to secure the long-term sustainability of rural Ireland.
Senan Foley, Head of Retail at Glanbia Ireland said: “Our branches and all our dedicated people have been servicing the needs of farmers and rural communities for decades. This collaboration with PostPoint is the latest expansion of our offering and acts as an important part of our commitment to offer a broad range of services to the communities we operate in. We look forward to continuing to build on this long into the future.”
H&S – IT’S NO ACCIDENT!
H&S – It’s no accident!
Health and Safety remains at the forefront of GI, with the launch of the 2021 Health & Safety report
Glanbia Ireland’s Health and Safety team works on the principle that ‘nothing we do is worth getting hurt for and every accident could and should be prevented’. So it’s with great pride that the team that helps keep us all safe at work released its 2021 Health & Safety report last week.
In the midst of ongoing Covid-19 challenges, key H&S metrics improved in 2021, building on already strong performance in 2020. For only the second time ever, there were zero lost time accidents across the whole of GI during the busy month of December. That means all our people returned home safe, well and free from any injury that would stop them from being able to complete their work the following day. Added to this, there were zero critical incidents throughout all of 2021.
For the year, GI’s Lost Time Incident Rate (LTIR) and Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) targets were achieved with a 35% reduction in LTIR and 45% in TRIR. “These metrics are globally recognised and used to report on the likelihood of an accident occurring in the workplace, explains Glanbia Ireland’s Head of Health and Safety, Ed Elder. “We are very pleased to report our annual LTIR and TRIR rates are both nearing what would be seen as ‘world class’ with our most recent improvements. This marks an overall improvement of 77% for our LTIR and 70% for our TRIR since launching our GI Health & Safety Strategy in January 2019.”
Glanbia Ireland’s Health and Safety strategy is delivering against all its objectives thanks to a collective effort across the business, with leadership and guidance from the H&S Network team led by Michael O’Connor, GI’s Chief Quality & Compliance Officer, Ed Elder and Tom Crosbie, Health and Safety Manager. With health and safety part of everyone’s roles, keeping our workplaces safe is also down to all employees who keep safe work practices front of mind and look out for each other each and every day.
Thanking everyone for their efforts, Ed said: “Our Health and Safety performance is a fine example of what we can achieve through collaboration, working cross functionally and having clear goals and objectives. The stats in our latest H&S report are testament to the value our people put on ensuring we operate in safe environments and the huge effort made to make this happen.”
CHRISTMAS JUMPER DAY RAISES OVER €3,000 FOR FOCUS IRELAND
Christmas Jumper Day raises over €3,000 for Focus Ireland
GI employees’ ‘Spirit of Giving’ has helped to raise €3,050 for homeless charity Focus Ireland as part of our Winter Well programme
Colleagues got in the festive spirit during Christmas Jumper Day on December 17th, with over 120 people posting pictures on Yammer or emailing them in, with plenty more woolly delights on show across all GI locations!
Along with a €2 donation being made for every jumper picture submitted, a fantastic €1,310 was generously donated by employees to help people without a home across Ireland. Glanbia Ireland will now top up this amount to make a €3,050 donation.
Thanks to everyone who got in the spirit and donated so generously!