Empowered to make it happen
Empowered to make it happen
“Going for the White Belt accreditation pushed me out of my comfort zone – I’m delighted to have achieved it”
Empower and Go is about empowering people in Tirlán to perform at their best, creating an environment where we all have a voice, where we feel safe to contribute and are inspired to make a positive impact, whether that be for colleagues, customers, our suppliers or in our everyday lives.
David Leigh embodies all that is great about Empower and Go in action at Tirlán. The Baltinglass native and avid Liverpool supporter has been awarded the Lean Sigma Quality White Belt through Atlantic Technological University Sligo, which is ranked third in the world for content and presentation. He said the productivity-boosting programme was challenging and very tough in places. But with the support of his work colleagues in the Tirlán plant in Ballitore, he never gave up. He excelled!
“I had to push myself out of my comfort zone to achieve this. Even going for the White Belt accreditation was a bit of a challenge. There was so much to do. But I’m delighted to have achieved it,” David said.
“There were loads of slides and presentations to go through. As part of my presentation, I had to talk about the Academy in Tirlán. It was a challenge. But with support from my mentor, Richie, I got through it and I got the accreditation. There was also great support from IT Sligo in terms of explanations, videos and more. I’m delighted.”
Greater confidence
“It has given me greater confidence and I’m now ready for my next challenge and plan to progress to a Yellow Belt next year. I think it’s important to try new things, learn new things. All these new learnings help me in my work which involves everything from managing PPE for the teams to stock control and sorting wage slips to ensuring we have adequate office supplies on the site. It’s also helped me in my life outside of work. I enjoy bowling and horse riding and am even heading to Rome in October for my niece’s wedding.”
David is believed to be the first person in Ireland with Down’s Syndrome to achieve the White Belt and says he has blossomed and has had tremendous support on the job for over two decades.
Bumps in the Road
“I’m here 24 years now. There’s been lots of change over that time. The buildings have changed. The layout has changed. Lots of people have come and gone. There were some bumps in the road. Some of my old friends here have retired and I really miss those people. They were a huge part of my life. That has been tough. But there are always new characters coming in.
“I absolutely love working here. I love my work. I have very good friends here and when I need help, there are plenty of people willing to help me, support me. There are some things I can’t do. But with the support of other people, there’s lots I can do.
“The banter is very good, particularly when Liverpool are playing well. The craic between different supporters is great. The food in the canteen here is very good and the ladies there really look after me, they know what I like and what I don’t like. It’s great to be somewhere you love, with great people around you to support and encourage you – and to be getting paid for it.”
David’s passion, determination and generosity have rubbed off on his colleagues around him. As well as being heavily involved in the plant’s social events which include race days, the Christmas party and more, David recently raised over €2,000 for Daffodil Day with the support of his colleagues in Ballitore, who were only too happy to rally round and dig deep.
Yellow Belt Accreditation
David’s Yellow Belt programme will see him complete five modules, supported by the Business Excellence team within Tirlán. Site Manager, Paddy Cotter, has helped David choose his project for his next accreditation. It will focus on inventory management and stock rotation. This accreditation will support David even further in his role, as well as life outside of Tirlán.
“You couldn’t find a better crew than we have here. I wouldn’t have got the White Belt without them. Some of the questions on the programme were tough. We had to do a bit of research and digging, look at footnotes and videos to work out exactly what they wanted from me.
“They’ve been equally helpful guiding me for my Yellow Belt. My advice to anyone taking on a new challenge like this accreditation is to accept first off that it will be difficult but to understand that with support from people around you, you will get through it.”
Tirlán – living by its values
“I’m delighted I did the accreditation and it was great to be recognised by Mick O’Leary when the ELT roadshow came to town recently. It was a great occasion. That recognition and what I experience here every day when I come in to work shows that Tirlán is really living by its values here in Ballitore when it comes to ‘Empower and Go.’”
Inclusivity within the team
Tirlán is delighted to work as a community with our farmers and employees, Michael O’Leary Chief People, Org Design and DEI Office, explained.
“We are very fortunate to have long-serving team members like David who take themselves outside of their comfort zone, challenge themselves to learn new and better ways of doing things.
“While he says he’s very fortunate to have a great team around him, I know from meeting him and his work colleagues that they get much more from working with David than they could ever repay him in terms of any supports he might offer along the way.” David is a real role model for his family, friends and work colleges.
Farming for the Future
Farming for the Future: The Poole Family's Efforts to Protect the River Bann
“Our children have grown up in the river, like so many children do”
Slaney catchment dairy farmers Alan and Cheryl Poole say the River Bann that flows through their 103 acre holding near Gorey in Wexford is an invaluable asset the family has appreciated, protected and enjoyed for generations.
The Poole family have farmed there since the early 1700s. Alan remembers watching salmon spawn in the river when he was a child. Today, it’s somewhere they retreat to with their own children, Jacob (17), Isabelle (13) and Danny (10), particularly during the summer months when the children are home from school.
And while they farm sustainably, have invested heavily in slurry storage and improved their farm infrastructure, they look forward to learning even more about protecting the watercourse as part the recently-launched ‘Farming for Water: River Slaney Project’ which is now underway.
Partnership Model
The partnership project is spearheaded by Tirlán, in collaboration with key stakeholders including Teagasc, professional services firm ifac, Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), County Councils and the wider community. Tirlán has appointed an advisory team to work with farm family suppliers in the catchment and support their efforts to farm more sustainably and protect the Nitrates Derogation.
LINK HERE TO ORIGINAL LAUNCH STORY
Tirlán launches new ‘River Slaney Project’ to enhance water quality | Tirlán (tirlan.com)
“Growing up here has given Alan a huge interest in the ecosystem,” Cheryl said. “Our core ethos on our family farm is to protect, maintain and develop our biodiversity and that includes the river.
“Our children have grown up in the river, like so many children do. They have made swings over the river, have built dams on the river. We spent so much time at the river during the lockdowns. It was bliss.
“This river is so important to our family. Our son, Jacob, has a severe intellectual disability and is physically disabled. The river is his happy place. He took his first steps here. The other two children have grown up in the river, like so many children do. They have made swings over the river, have built dams on the river. We spent so much time at the river during the lockdowns. It was bliss.
“We have run bat surveys on the river for the past 20 years and in the past few years, the children have become involved in that too. Isabelle was out with Alan doing a bat survey on a summer evening two years ago when an otter came out of the river, walked past them and went back into the river. This all happened 100 yards from their own bedroom windows. This river is just a phenomenal resource for us as a family.”
World Bee Day
The Poole family has been congratulated for their work to boost biodiversity on World Bee Day with Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett, congratulating the Pooles’ for the work they have done as part of the Pilot National Pollinator Monitoring Scheme.
“The Poole family farm is the perfect place for the Department to celebrate World Bee Day 2024. The whole family are involved at the beautiful farm and it is really bustling with life and biodiversity. The passion and energy of the children’s involvement is clear,” she said.
Solutions that work
The River Bann is one of a number of rivers that flows into the Slaney that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found to be high in nitrates. It spurred Tirlán to take action with its partners, to work with its dairy, grain and drystock farmers and find solutions that work.
“We’re very conscious of dirty water and slurry on our farm,” Alan Poole said. “We’ve invested heavily in our farm in recent years and all of our yards are roofed. All the clean water can go straight to the drains. We’ve plenty of storage for dirty water and slurry, quite a lot more than we are required to have.”
Both Alan and Cheryl have Science PhDs but said with legislation changing at such a pace, there is always more to learn. “We’ve always been very conscious of our responsibility when living right beside the river.
A very positive step
“Everyone has to take their own responsibility and for us, our section of the river and the land draining into it is our responsibility, so we’re doing our very best to protect it,” Cheryl continued. “We’re very excited to be part of Farming for Water: River Slaney Project. It’s a very positive step, the partnership approach will work well.
“We are the experts on our farm. But Tirlán and the support group they have put together have the knowledge about the latest legislation, the newest scientific thoughts and solutions. We do the best we can. But if we know how to do things even better, we will do that.
“There will be tweaks that we can make, things we can change. It’s a great partnership and we look forward to the back and forth. Sometimes you don’t see things that are right in front of your eyes like maybe a broken drain. That extra set of eyes, that extra support is so vitally important, particularly if we can keep our derogation.
“For us, it’s more than retaining the derogation. It’s about nature. It’s about biodiversity. It’s about our ecosystem. It’s about protecting our country as well as our countryside.”
Both Alan and Cheryl work full-time on farm. They do not have an off-farm income. “Water is such a resource. We all just need to play our part now. It’s crunch time for water quality in Ireland now and we all have to do our best. Everyone needs to take their responsibility for the piece in the jigsaw. And that is what the River Slaney Project is,” Cheryl Poole concluded.
Chewing the cud with… Kevin Dunne
Chewing the cud with… Kevin Dunne
Each month, we put the spotlight on a Tirlán employee and for our June newsletter, we’re talking to Kevin Dunne, Digital Manager for Ingredients
Kevin, originally from Wexford and now residing in Carlow with his wife, Emma, and two kids, Rían (6) and Éabha (4). He enjoys playing golf, going to the gym, and watching rugby in his spare time. He began his career through a graduate program at O2 Ireland, where he gained valuable experience in customer care, marketing, and HR. His journey led him to Audi Ireland as a Digital Manager, where he contributed to digital projects in collaboration with AUDI AG.
In 2019, Kevin joined Tirlán as a Digital Manager for Ingredients and played a pivotal role in Project Engage (C4C), a digital transformation initiative aimed at enhancing customer engagement and streamlining business processes.
C4C is a customer engagement platform and a key strategic plan enabler, helping the Commercial Ingredients team to grow value-add across both dairy and plant-based portfolios while optimising the core ingredient offering. The platform’s innovative features have shifted the focus from traditional to digital channels, providing comprehensive data for decision-making through reporting dashboards and analytics.
More recently, Kevin has taken on the role of Business Owner for Project Phoenix, Ingredients’ order fulfilment project, which involves working cross functionally with Customer Service, Logistics and Planning, and Finance.
Kevin’s expertise also extends to Account Based Marketing (ABM), a strategy that targets specific accounts for business engagement. Utilising Web Insights, Kevin and the Commercial team can identify businesses visiting the Ingredients website, gather insights on employee roles and interests, and develop personalised messaging for direct communication. This strategy was successfully implemented for the launch of Promiko WPI and has been extended to other categories, demonstrating its influence on the new business development pipeline.
A key aspect of Kevin’s work is the emphasis on collaboration and efficiency. The C4C project was a testament to the ‘Collaborate for Success’ ethos, involving a cross-functional team of 54 key personnel from across the business who were involved in the development phase, which was managed by the core project team which included Hannah Galligan and Carol Power, and underpinned by great support from Aoife Murphy and Ann Meaney.
The project’s success hinged on having the right team, a strong change management program, and a cultural shift to embrace new ways of working.
Looking ahead, Kevin envisions a transformative future for B2B digital marketing, driven by advancements in AI technologies such as Generative AI and Large Language Models. These innovations promise to enhance content creation, personalisation, trend analysis, and customer service, marking a new era in digital marketing’s evolution.
Throughout his career, Kevin has demonstrated a commitment to innovation, customer engagement, and strategic marketing. His contributions have not only shaped Tirlán’s digital landscape but also set the stage for the company’s continued growth and success in the ever-evolving world of digital marketing.
Truly Family Farms
Truly Family Farms
A New Masterbrand name for our US Portfolio
The agricultural landscape is ever-evolving and with it, the brands that represent the industry’s finest products. In a strategic move to unify its diverse product range under a single banner, Truly Grass Fed has renamed to Truly Family Farms, a decision that marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey. It is not a packaging change of existing products, it’s simply an umbrella Masterbrand name to talk about our whole portfolio, both dairy and oat, under one name.
The initiative was not merely a change in name but a thoughtful process to simplify the brand’s narrative for consumers and retailers. Since its inception in 2019, Truly Grass Fed has been synonymous with quality dairy products. However, with the expansion into oat milk through Truly Gluten Free, the US based team in Chicago saw an opportunity to create a Masterbrand that encapsulates all its offerings, paving the way for future growth and innovation.
The journey to Truly Family Farms began in Q4 of 2023, with consumer focus group research in key U.S. markets. The goal was to ensure the new Masterbrand resonated with the target market, dubbed ‘Foodie Explorers,’ and competitive users. The research involved exposing focus groups to potential Masterbrand names and future innovation launches, gathering insights and qualitative consumer sentiment that would inform the final branding decision.
A team led by Jaclyn Crabbe and Nicola O’Connell, in partnership with advertising agency SRG (Sterling Rice Group), spearheaded the project. They were supported by key team members who contributed through stakeholder interviews and feedback including Conor O’Donovan, Kevin Honan, Noel Larkin, Ulrik Nyberg, Niamh Parlon and Michelle Lei.
Truly Family Farms reflects Tirlán’s ethos and values, emphasising the brand’s roots as a 100% farmer-owned cooperative based in Ireland. The brand’s narrative intertwines the wisdom of traditional farming with modern innovation, highlighting a commitment to compassionate food production for people, animals and the planet. The initiative aligns with Tirlán’s core values, positioning the company for further growth and innovation while underscoring its identity as a custodian of the land.
The introduction of Truly Family Farms to the American market was strategised as a ‘soft launch,’ given that it did not necessitate any action from consumers or retailers already familiar with Truly Grass Fed. The transition involved updating social media handles and merging existing websites into a cohesive platform, trulyfamilyfarms.com. A new website with modern functionality and an updated look is set to launch in mid-July, further solidifying the brand’s presence.
- Truly Family Farms | Facebook
- Truly Family Farms (@trulyfamilyfarms) • Instagram photos and videos
- Truly Family Farms (@trulyfamilyfarms) | TikTok
- Truly Family Farms | LinkedIn
Think Pink
Pictured at the cheque presentation to Breast Cancer Ireland are three generations of the Young family from Young Nurseries, the plant supplier who supported Tirlán CountryLife on the campaign. Pictured (L-R) are Rachel Young and Margaret Hennessy from Kilfinane; Karen Walsh from Breast Cancer Ireland; Jess Kelly, Tirlán Retail Marketing Manager; Senan Foley, Tirlán Head of Retail; Nuala Young, Young Nurseries Kilfinane; and Theresa Harper, Tirlán CountryLife Castlecomer Horticulturist
Think Pink
Tirlán CountryLife Plant Pink campaign raises over €15,000 for Breast Cancer Ireland
Fifteen Tirlán CountryLife garden centres in Leinster and Munster and online at CountryLife.ie ran the Plant Pink Campaign. Customers bought a special ‘Tickled Pink’ Dianthus flower to help raise funds and awareness for Breast Cancer Ireland.
This year’s Plant Pink Campaign, organised by Tirlan CountryLife, has raised over €15,000 for Breast Cancer Ireland. The campaign, which ran throughout May and June, involved the sale of pink Dianthus plants, with €2 from each sale being donated to Breast Cancer Ireland.
The Dianthus plant, also known as ‘Pink Kisses,’ was chosen for its beautiful pink flowers and its sun-loving characteristics. The campaign was a huge success, with Tirlan CountryLife customers showing their support by purchasing the plants in large numbers. The Pink Dianthus is grown in Limerick in a biologically friendly way, with virtually no chemical pest control methods at the family-run Young Nurseries.
Aisling Hurley, CEO, Breast Cancer Ireland said: “Initiatives such as Tirlán CountryLife’s Plant Pink campaign allows Breast Cancer Ireland to continue to fund pioneering research and awareness to transform the landscape of breast cancer in this country. Our relationship with Tirlán is a special one and we are so appreciative of the tireless efforts of employees, suppliers and the general public in supporting their worthy initiatives.”
Senan Foley, Head of Retail at Tirlán said: “This is a hugely proud day for us at Tirlán CountryLife to donate this money to Breast Cancer Ireland on behalf of our customers, suppliers and employees who took part in our Plant Pink Campaign. We would especially like to thank our plant supplier Young Nurseries who have supported us with the campaign from the beginning. We look forward to continuing our commitment to supporting and celebrating our local communities.”
A big thank you to all employees and customers who contributed to this campaign over the past few months, helping to raise much-needed funds for Breast Cancer Ireland.
To support Plant Pink you can buy the Tickled Pink Dianthus in your local Tirlán CountryLife store.
For more information on Tirlán CountryLife visit: Tirlán CountryLife Plant Pink Campaign raises over €15,000 for Breast Cancer Ireland | Tirlán FarmLife (tirlanfarmlife.com)
Living our Values
Living our Values
Tirlán sites embrace Purpose, Vision, and Values with new signage
To highlight our commitment to our core values, we have recently completed a project to install our Purpose, Vision, and Value signage across all Tirlán sites. The new signage serves as a visual reminder to employees and visitors of the company’s guiding principles and goals.
The project, which began several months ago, involved the design and installation of custom signage at each of the company’s office, branch and plant locations. The signs prominently display Tirlán’s purpose, vision, and values, reinforcing the company’s commitment to its employees, customers and the community.
Tirlán’s leadership team believes the new signage will help to foster a culture of excellence and accountability, as well as inspire employees to live the company’s values every day. The project has been met with enthusiasm from employees, who appreciate the company’s dedication to its core principles.
The completion of this project is just one of the many ways that Tirlán is working to create a positive and engaging work environment for its employees. By embracing its purpose, vision, and values, the company is well-positioned for continued success and growth.
A big thank you to all who were involved in getting this project over the line.
Inclusivity at Tirlán
Pictured at Tirlán CountryLife Dungarvan branch are from left Olivia Treacy Supplier and Customer Engagement Manager Tirlán; Senan Foley, Head of Retail Tirlán; Mary Butler TD, Minister of State at the Department of Health; and Bruce McDevitt, Age Friendly Regional Manager
Inclusivity at Tirlán
Tirlán has embarked on a programme to ensure people of all ages get the best possible experience across its stores
Tirlán has officially begun its Age Friendly Ireland Certification journey, to be implemented over the coming months across Tirlán’s 52 store branch network. The certification will focus on the inclusion of the older customer and addressing their needs to ensure a good customer experience when visiting any of the Tirlán Countrylife or Tirlán Farmlife stores.
The Age Friendly Business Recognition Programme has helped businesses all over Ireland obtain their Age Friendly Charters. As part of the certification process, an Age Friendly Champion will be appointed from the team in each store with a customer survey circulated to help decide on the changes needed to create the best possible age-friendly experience for its customers.
Tirlán Chairperson, John Murphy said: “Tirlán is committed to obtaining Age Friendly Certification and recognition across our branch network. This is part of our Living Proof sustainability strategy and an example of Tirlán’s on-going dedication to the well-being and engagement of older adults within our branch network. It also demonstrates our Co-op values for all our customers including older adults. Tirlán wants to ensure all people have a great customer experience every time they visit one of our stores, regardless of their age.”
Bruce McDevitt, Regional Manager for Age Friendly Ireland said: “We are delighted to partner with Tirlán on this journey. Age Friendly Ireland supports businesses across Ireland to focus on aspects of the business to ensuring older adults have a good experience when visiting the business or store.”
Minister Mary Butler TD said: “This proactive step by Tirlán, supported by Age Friendly Ireland, is important to ensure we have a more inclusive and receptive society, meeting the needs of an aging population to improve the quality of life as they age.”
News n’ Views
News n’ Views
Don’t miss Jim Bergin’s last message in the latest edition of Tirlán Farm Focus
Check out our June edition of Tirlán Farm Focus. This edition includes Jim Bergin’s final Farm Focus message as well as news, views and technical farm advice from across the organisation.
International stage for Tirlán
International stage for Tirlán
Promiko was the star ingredient at the Vitafoods Europe tradeshow
Tirlán attended Vitafoods Europe tradeshow for the second year in a row at Palexpo Geneva. Our key focus was our Promiko whey protein isolate (WPI) brand, along with our functional dairy proteins and plant-based solutions. The team had a busy three days, meeting both new and existing customers.
Gwen Gould, Senior Marketing Manager, was Tirlán’s conference speaker and delivered a presentation on “Going the Distance, how protein has stayed relevant by growing and expanding beyond pure performance nutrition” to over 40 company representatives.
The show had over 22,000 industry professionals and 1,200 global suppliers in attendance, so it was a great opportunity for us to showcase all that Tirlán has to offer.
From Backyards to Garden Festivals
From Backyards to Garden Festivals
Tirlán CountryLife decided to sponsor the Postcard Gardens at the Bloom Garden Festival over six months ago, and that was the beginning of a truly exciting journey for the brand
By sponsoring the Postcard Gardens, we aimed to highlight the passion and creativity of amateur gardeners, sharing their stories and inspiring communities to embrace gardening. This initiative perfectly aligns with Tirlán CountryLife’s commitment to nurturing gardens, from backyards to garden festivals, and promoting green spaces in local communities.
Our primary goal was to boost brand awareness and engage with our community, and we achieved this through a series of thoughtfully curated activities.
- Tirlán CountryLife Giant Garden Chair: Rest spot and photo opportunity
- Spin to Win activity: Engaged attendees with exciting prizes
- Flower wall planting: Children’s involvement, rehomed to Laura Lynn Children’s Hospice
- Spin to Win activity at the festival and at Heuston Station: engaged attendees with exciting prizes, bringing instant joy
- Hosting Community Gardens Panel Discussion: Featured expert horticulturist Alma Hayden from Tirlán CountryLife, Athboy
- Nationwide competition: Chance to win a €2000 community garden, inspiring garden projects.
Fiona Byrne, CountryLife Brand Manager, highlights her gratitude for being able to bring a campaign like this to life. “It couldn’t have happened without our amazing team”. A huge shout out to our phenomenal Tirlán CountryLife and wider Tirlán team for their dedication and support over the past six months.
Special thanks to Jess Kelly and Ava Whelan, who went above and beyond to bring this campaign to its full potential. To our digital team, including Mark Dillon, Jane Maher and Melanie Mynhardt, and to our retail team and horticulturists who supported the entire initiative. Lastly, to Senan Foley, Rob O’Keeffe and Grace O’Dwyer for your continuous support throughout.
For more information on the Postcard Garden entrants see: Postcard Gardens – Bloom | Ireland’s Largest Garden Festival | June Bank Holiday (bordbiabloom.com)