Tirlán’s Bunclody branch is the first in our network of stores to be completed as part of an €11m phase 1 investment programme which was announced earlier this year

Pictured at the recent Board tour of the Bunclody Branch are: Sean Molloy, Patrick Murphy, Brendan Hayes, Jim Bergin, Mark Morrissey, John Murphy, Grace O’Dwyer, Robert Kehoe and Senan Foley

As the business’s new concept store, Bunclody acts as a design template for Tirlán CountryLife stores going forward, which will bring consistency and standards to how customers experience our stores. Preparations for store revamps in Tirlán CountryLife Castlelyons and Athboy are already underway and due for completion towards the end of the summer/early autumn. Plans are in motion for a further five stores, one of which will include a Tirlán FarmLife concept store.

Tirlán CountryLife Bunclody, following the completion of its revamp

Tirlan’s Board recently visited the newly revamped Bunclody store where the retail development, branch management and retail marketing teams showcased the impressive redesign of the branch.

Senan Foley, Tirlán’s Head of Retail who led the Board visit, explained to Overherd what Board Member’s experienced during the tour of the branch.

“This new design concept has taken inspiration from the genesis of the Tirlán brand; using natural materials throughout the store including moss, wood and stone. In addition, a simple colour pallet is in use with a touch of green throughout to add emphasis and create contrast in a distinctively Tirlán way.

New farmer counter in Bunclody, a design featuring natural stone and wood material that will be rolled out in future store developments

“Connecting back to our roots, which is such a strong part of the Tirlán brand, was also really important to us. Our network of branch stores are often situated on the very land where our many founding fathers first traded. To highlight this strong relationship to local communities, a dedicated history wall instore charts our journey over the last 100 years and our community notice board prioritises our support of today’s local community.

Dedicated history wall towards the farmer entrance of the store, charting both Tirlán’s and the Bunclody branch’s history

“Everything was carefully considered in the completion of the concept store in Bunclody, from lighting fixtures and floors to counter tills and shelving. Infrastructural changes and other functional upgrades were also completed including IT systems, new electric doors, new heating system, rewiring of the premises and an upgrade to staff facilities.

To allow the retail store and garden centre run smoothly, flexibility was built into the store signage set-up. Simple elements such as the use of magnetic aisle end signage, bench strip sliders, hooks for category aisle headers, floor display signage solutions and pallet displays amongst others have been added; all accommodate for the ease of stock and display movement required for seasonal or stock changes

“A key objective of our phase one retail investment is to meet the evolving needs of our customers through a network of modern stores. We want a visit to Tirlán CountryLife and Tirlán FarmLife to be a pleasant experience where customers feel at home, can easily find their way around and be guided to the products they want by our knowledgeable staff. As part of this, the creation of a consistent store identity is important to us so that the second customers walk through our doors, they know they are in a Tirlán store.

The rejuvenated Bunclody garden centre, featuring new signage solutions and the Tirlán CountryLife’s new consumer message ‘Gardens, Our Second Nature’

“In addition to the design development work carried out in Bunclody, the retail store development team is also working to evolve the product and service offering. Our first coffee dock is being trialled in Bunclody, where gardening customers in particular can enjoy a cup of coffee while browsing in-store. On the FarmLife side we’re exploring new centres of excellences in the area of farm hardware, so lots of more exciting projects in the store development pipeline.”

Coffee dock solution in place in store, delivered in conjunction with Bewleys

Special mention must go to Mark Morrisey and the whole Bunclody Branch Team who have displayed huge enthusiasm for the concept store project. Despite all the upheaval to the store over the last number of months, they continued to trade throughout the works and customer satisfaction remained high. Learnings from this concept trial store, which will include customer feedback, will now be built into future store developments.

Pictured L-R Ben Furney, Michael Dunbar Mark Hayden, Mark Morrissey, Fergal Joy and Nicholas Murphy

It’s been a busy few weeks for Ingredients Team colleagues who have hosted a number of customers recently

Mars Wrigley impressed to see Tirlán’s approach to sustainability

The Mars Wrigley Procurement & Sustainability team visited Tirlán recently as part of a mission to understand how their suppliers are approaching sustainability around the globe.

The team from the Mars Wrigley US, UK and EU offices started the day at Shane Fitzgerald’s Future Farm in Portlaw and moved to Abbey Quarter afterwards for sustainability and commercial discussions. They then closed the day with an innovation session at the AQ Customer Experience Centre.

Tirlán Senior Key Accounts Manager (Ingredients) Orla Slye told Overherd that, “This was the first time Mars Wrigley’s Global Dairy Sourcing Director has visited Tirlán in Ireland. Mars have a strong sustainability agenda and are keen to understand what their suppliers are undertaking in this space around the globe. They were really impressed to see Tirlán’s approach to sustainability and confirmed to us that we are already way ahead of many other suppliers and regions they are working with.

“Mars are aware of the high production standards Tirlán work to but it was great to get Mars out on farm so they could see our farmers strive for the same on-farm production and sustainability standards. We were also able to take them through the great work our Plant-Based team have achieved with our Gluten Free Oat sales to Kind US which is part of the Mars family.

The Mars Wrigley Team visits Shane Fitzgerald’s ‘Future Farm’ in Portlaw, Couny Waterford

“We got the opportunity to take Mars through our Plant and Protein Powder applications for the first time in our Innovation Session which was held in the Customer Experience Centre. They were particularly complementary as to how we presented both our Dairy and Plant offerings side by side and said it was a first for them. Our plant-based chocolate received very high praise indeed and they even took left over samples with them when they left!

An innovation session was hosted by our Dairy Protein and Plant Based teams where the Mars Wrigley Team got to experience / sample our Dairy and Plant based beverages, ice-cream and chocolate

“The visit overall was very successful and Mars have committed to opening doors to explore other areas of their business as a result. This success is the result of exceptional cross-collaboration with various teams, from Agri, Sustainability and Marketing to Product, Commercial and R&D! There was a big group involved in making this a success and a special thanks to all of those who contributed – #collaborateforsuccess at its finest!”

Condetta GmbH & Co. KG team members visit Ireland for the first time

As part of the Storck group, one of the largest sweets producers globally with brands like Werther’s Original, Merci, Nimm2, Riesen and Dickmanns, Condetta GmbH & Co. KG team members took a whirlwind two-day tour of Tirlán’s sites at Abbey Quarter, the Innovation Centre in Ballyragget, Virginia and Gerard Cooke’s Farm in Co. Meath.

Four of the five guests had never been to Ireland before and all were impressed by the Tirlán spirit, commenting that “they could feel that we like what we do.”

Pictured are Virginia Team Members who hosted guests from Condetta GmbH & Co. KG

Condetta is among the top three buyers of our MPC’s (Milk Protein Concentrate) out of Virginia. They blend our MPC in compounds which dairies in Europe use for producing high protein consumer packaged goods such as pudding, yoghurt, mousses and ready-to-drink shakes.

Regional Sales Manager (Ingredients) Kathrin Pasold told Overherd that “We had great engagement and really intensified the customer relationship during their visit to Ireland.  As we’re in a changing market environment with large price corrections it’s the trust the counts a lot to keep sales running best possible.

“Looking towards future opportunities with this customer, they were highly impressed with oat solutions developed by the R&D team and there was also mutual agreement to work on solutions and new market concepts in the years to come.”

The Condetta GmbH & Co. KG Team visits Tirlán’s Innovation Centre in Ballyragget

Overall, there was fantastic cross-collaboration with all the colleagues involved, in front and behind the scenes to make this a memorable trip for the Condetta team.

Ewalco from Sweden focus on health and sustainability

Ewalco, part of the Humble group of companies, sent a team of four people which included their CEO to visit Tirlán late last month.

Starting in Portlaoise, Production & Process Manager Andrew Wilkinson took the team on a tour through the Oat Mill. Then it was off to the Innovation Centre in Ballyragget to provide technical training and tasting sessions on Tirlán’s oats portfolio as well as MPC (Milk Protein Concentrate) and WPI (Whey Protein Isolate). The next day, the team met in Abbey Quarter and were presented with market insights and had some further commercial discussions.

It was a great chance to present our full portfolio, Katherine Pasold explained to Overherd. “Ewalco is a private label manufacturer for sports and healthy nutrition and they currently purchase our MPC from Ballyragget. As they are part of a bigger group, hopefully this visit this will lead to further sales and we are also looking to expand sales of our oats portfolio with the company.”

Technical training and tasting sessions on Tirlán’s oats and proteins portfolio were hosted at the Innovation Centre

The Consumer team recently launched the latest addition to the Avonmore value-added milk range

The Consumer team is delighted to have recently launched the latest addition to the Avonmore value-added milk range – Avonmore Fibre Plus Milk, a low-fat milk with added fibre and vitamins.

Fibre is important for helping to keep our digestive systems healthy and working at their best. It’s recommended that adults consume 24-35g of fibre per day*, but 80% of adults in Ireland don’t get enough fibre in their diet.**

That’s why we’ve launched Avonmore Fibre Plus Milk, which contains chicory root fibre to help increase your daily fibre intake and to support your gut health+.  Avonmore Fibre Plus Milk is also enriched it with vitamin C and vitamin D, which contribute to the normal function of the immune system.

“The launch of Avonmore Fibre Plus Milk is a result of true collaboration with colleagues from across the business, including R&D, Nutrition, R&SA, Ops, Supply Chain, Finance and Commercial. We believe we have developed a great tasting product that will address consumers growing desire for products with gut and immune health benefits and are excited to see it hitting supermarket shelves!” said Senior Brand Manager, Grainne Murray.

Avonmore Fibre Plus Milk can be enjoyed in cereal or porridge, smoothies, hot drinks or as a drink on its own. It’s available in a 1 litre carton in supermarkets nationwide or from your local milkman now!

* INDI, 2016
** National Adult Nutrition Survey, IUNA 2011
+ Chicory root fibre contributes to normal bowel function by increasing bowel movement frequency

Media coverage around the official opening of Abbey Quarter

It’s a little under a month since the official opening of Tirlán’s Collaboration Hub at Abbey Quarter by Minister for Enterprise Simon Coveney. You can click here for a summary of media headlines and full articles relating to the opening of Tirlán’s new Kilkenny office space.

The GAIN Champion Collection Series was launched recently at John O’Donoghue’s yard on The Curragh

The series, which boasts a fantastic prize pot of €220,000, commenced last weekend with the First Flier Stakes. Next up is the Group 3 Marble Hill Stakes which takes place on May 27th. The series culminates with the final leg on Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day with the Group 2 Railway Stakes, one of the oldest races in the racing calendar having first been run in 1851.

The GAIN Railway Stakes will be part of the Tote World Pool this year, providing increased international exposure of the race. The series extends further, with the winning horse of the Railway Stakes receiving automatic entry into the prestigious Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes.
GAIN is delighted to be associated with this series, enhancing the team’s relationship with The Curragh which commenced in 2012.