In May, our Board and Executive Leadership Team (ELT) made a meaningful visit to our China office, strengthening ties and celebrating our growing presence in the region

The team in China proudly welcomed the delegation on May 19th to their new office space, which they had moved into May 2024. The familiar moss wall, mirroring the one at Abbey Quarter, offered a warm and symbolic connection to our Irish office spaces. The Board and ELT were impressed by the vibrant workspace and the thoughtful Tirlán corporate design touches throughout.

A major highlight of the visit was the 27th China Baking Expo, the country’s largest bakery trade event, which attracted over 400,000 professional bakery visitors. The Tirlán Board attended and took part in a special unveiling ceremony at our exhibit. Opening remarks were delivered by John Murphy, Tirlán Chairman; David Murphy, Irish Consul General in Shanghai; and Zhu Changlin, Honorary President of the China Bakery Association—all expressing their support for Tirlán’s continued success in China.

The momentum continued the next day with the Avonmore Professional Brand Townhall – Shanghai Station, held at the Primus Hotel. Seán Molloy, Tirlán CEO, kicked off the event with an inspiring keynote. Attendees enjoyed live demos from Avonmore Professional Brand Ambassador Gráinne Mullins, Dessert Inspiration Chef Ryosuke Sugamata, and Bakery Inspiration Chef Sen Chen, who showcased creative uses of Avonmore cream in their culinary specialties.

The Board shared how impressed they were with the energy and innovation on display, expressing confidence in the Avonmore Professional brand’s bright future in China’s dynamic bakery sector.

The final day of the visit brought the delegation to Beijing for a meeting at the Irish Embassy with newly appointed Ambassador Nicolas O’Brian. Both the Ambassador and Chairman John spoke warmly about Tirlán’s decade-long contribution to Sino-Irish trade.

As the Irish saying goes, “Ní neart go cur le chéile” – there is no strength without unity. This visit was a powerful reminder of the deep trust and shared vision that connect our teams across borders.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make this visit such a success.