Making the grade
Making the grade
Tirlán has been nominated in three categories at the 2024 Green Awards
It’s awards season and the ESG team wanted to make sure that Tirlán gets recognised for the amazing work that’s happening right across the business on sustainability. We were busy in November applying for the 2024 Green Awards and in December, we were informed that we have been shortlisted for all three of the awards we applied for – The Green Large Organisation of the Year; The Green Food & Beverage Award and The Sustainable Energy Achievement Award. The results will be revealed at a gala ceremony on February 27th.
Our applications detailed the wide-ranging sustainability actions that are taking place across the entire company, in line with our Living Proof Sustainability Strategy, at both our sites and on-farm, and across our consumer, ingredients and agribusiness categories.
Just some of the initiatives recognised in our Green Award applications are:
- Reducing our greenhouse gas emissions on farm, facilitated by programmes such as our bespoke and industry-leading incentivisation programme The Sustainability Action Payment, The Twenty20 Beef Club – a partnership with Kepak on enhancing farm sustainability – and our work with ASSAP to improve water, soil and air quality
- The first of our 52 branches in Castlecomer transitioning to a low carbon operating store
- The ongoing work and achievements around reducing plastic use
- Embracing the circular economy through utilising dairy sludge from our processing sites as organic fertiliser (approved by the organic trust and spread under EPA approval)
- And of course, the fantastic work that takes place in Tirlán relating to community engagement and important fundraising activities.
In conjunction with the FarmGen team, we also got shortlisted for the Sustainable Energy Achievement award which outlined FarmGen, its sustainability benefits and the achievements of the programme to date. FarmGen was launched by Tirlán in 2019 as a renewable energy Solar PV scheme for Tirlán members, delivering carbon and cost savings from sustainable energy generation.
Well done to the FarmGen team who have been receiving some well-deserved recognition of late, having also been successful at the Business Excellence Showcase Awards!
It is a fantastic achievement to have been shortlisted for these three prestigious awards and provides well deserved appreciation for the hard work that takes place behind the scenes in delivering on our Living Proof Sustainability Strategy, implementing our ambitious sustainability projects and living out Tirlán’s Purpose, Vision and Values.
We are looking forward to the continued progress and acceleration of our sustainability journey into 2024!
Driving brand recognition
Driving brand recognition
A successful year for Tirlán Ingredients
Despite the challenges, 2023 was a full and exciting year for Tirlán Ingredients. We thank our colleagues across Tirlán who help to bring the goodness of our product to the world. This was achieved through plant and farm visits, trade shows and missions, new innovations and product launches, digital marketing campaigns and world-wide efforts to drive new customer onboarding.
Watch here for more
Prestigious Award for Tirlán
Prestigious Award for Tirlán
Gold at prestigious Fit Out Awards for Tirlán
Mary Banks & Sarah Dixon (Henry J Lyons) pictured receiving their award from Fit Out Judge
Tirlán is celebrating gold in the prestigious Fit Out Awards, scooping the Fit-Out Project of the Year for Medium Office title at this year’s gala event.
Tirlán got a special mention during the presentation as being “one of the most innovative, forward-thinking companies leading the way in the office of the future and one of the first companies in Ireland to successfully deliver on hybrid working”.
Mary Banks, Facilities Manager, project managed the design and fit out for Tirlán and paid tribute to everyone who played their part. “What better way to mark Tirlán’s first anniversary in our Abbey Quarter Kilkenny Collaboration Hub than winning one category outright and being shortlisted in a second category for Fit out Project of the Year – Conservation at the prestigious Fit-Out Awards.
Tirlán Abbey Quarter Team Pictured at the Official Opening earlier this year
“We are delighted to have won and taken home the award for Fit Out Project of the Year, which is one of the top award categories and this year the shortlist included Vodafone and PTSB.
“The Tirlan Collaboration Hub has been warmly received and fully supports our hybrid working model with a strong focus on sustainability and collaboration. We have an average footfall of over 650 to 750 employees using the facility on a weekly basis. Special credit to our Design Team, Project Team and our architects Henry J. Lyons who worked with us on this project.”
The Fit-Out Awards celebrate excellence in the execution of world-class fit outs, and also the people and clients who drive these projects. By providing a showcase to recognise this distinct and unique design and construction industry, the Fit-Out Awards seek to encourage greater investment by corporate and public sector clients; the awards also aim to support the development of key fit-out skills and promote best practice to help the sector grow in the years to come.
Have A Go!
Adapt to Grow – Have A Go!
The meaning behind ‘Adapt to Grow’ has been brought to life through friendly competition
Our 2023 Excellence Showcase in Abbey Quarter allowed us to recognise just how teams around Tirlán are bringing our core value of Adapt to Grow to life through their commitment to continuous improvement, innovation and pursuit of excellence. To coincide with this, we wanted colleagues around the business to have a bit of fun while understanding the meaning behind our value ‘Adapt to Grow’.
Over the last few days, colleagues from around the organisation have been bringing their values ‘A Game’ to life with some friendly competition through our life size Jenga and Connect 4 games. Through games we are reminded that positive outcomes can be achieved through having a go, learning from mistakes and being prepared to seek a path to success that’s not always so obvious!
Check out some of the teams having a go as we Adapt to Grow!
Chewing the cud with… Mick May
Chewing the cud with… Mick May
Each month, we put the spotlight on a Tirlán employee and for our December newsletter, we’re talking to Mick May
Mick May and his colleagues in Ballitore, Co Kildare, will be working non-stop between now and Christmas to meet demand for the extended Avonmore Cream range. And despite the extra pressure, it’s a time of year that the Machine Operator and father of three absolutely loves.
“I’m here 11 years now and from December 4 right up to December 22, it will be non-stop and I’ll either be on the 2pm to 10pm or the 6am to 2pm shift. It’s the first year in my 11 years that I won’t be doing nights. We trained a new guy up for nights.
“It’s busier at this time but we all put our shoulder to the wheel and the banter and the craic continues. And while we’re working with cream every single day, smelling the Baileys, the Brandy, the Salted Caramel this year, I still do manage to enjoy some cream over Christmas.
“I was involved with R&D on the production of the new Salted Caramel cream so I’m definitely looking forward to tasting that over Christmas.
“We’ve a great, tight-knit crew here. We have had a few changes to the team in recent times and the new team members have settled in great and we’re a very close bunch.
“I live in Athy so I’m only 10 minutes away from work. It’s handy because outside of work, I enjoy watching soccer and GAA and I play a bit of golf. I’m playing off 5 and have been for a good while. The secret to keeping my handicap low has been not to play much golf at all!”
The family man says that while some of his colleagues take time off after Christmas, he works through. “We love taking family time during the summer. Our kids are a great age. Mia is in 1st year, Olivia only started school and Jack is in 3rd class. They’re at a great age and they keep us on our toes.
“I love my job and it hasn’t changed much since we became Tirlán. The job has evolved though over the years. Some parts of the job have been mechanised and streamlined and there is an even greater focus on safety than ever.
“I’m very lucky. I love what I do and I really enjoy going into work. I came in here on a three-month contract and never left. As the wife says, they’d want a crane to lift me out at this stage.”
Tirlán Ingredients Take Centre Stage
Tirlán Ingredients Take Centre Stage
2023 ended on a high for the Tirlán Ingredients commercial team who attended ‘Food Ingredients Europe’ in Germany
The Tirlán Ingredients commercial team recently attended the final show of 2023 – ‘Food Ingredients Europe’ – which took place in Frankfurt, Germany. It was a great opportunity for the team to showcase all Tirlán has to offer across our dairy and plant based ingredients portfolio and showcase the range of applications in which our ingredients can be used in.
“This was our first year celebrating the new Tirlán brand. We welcomed lots of old friends and colleagues to the stand as well as new and existing customers. We showcased several brands, including Promiko, which went down very well with visitors to the Tirlán stand.
“Some of the big themes at this year’s Food Ingredients Europe show centred around sustainability. Shane McElroy, Head of Technical Development, said: “Sustainability has been a buzzword for the past number of years, but what we’re trying to do at Tirlán is show how sustainability is being implemented in real terms on our family farms from both a grain or dairy perspective. Going forward, we’ll be delving deeper into regenerative agriculture and carbon reduction.”
All in all, a very successful end to a productive year for the Tirlán Ingredients commercial team.
Check out the highlights video below:
Wellbeing Seminars
Watch Tirlán Wellbeing Seminars
Take a look at some of the wellbeing events held this year
Over the last number of months we have held a number of employee events, both online and in person. The events were aimed at supporting our wellbeing and development agenda and we wanted to take the opportunity to share them here with you in one place. Why not take some time to watch them over the coming weeks or share them with friends and family over Christmas?
Adam Harris
During this hour long in-person and online event, Adam will share his insights, experiences and expertise with us, shedding light on the challenges faced by individuals with autism, as well as the strategies and initiatives that can lead to a more inclusive and supportive environment.
Ray Goggins
To mark World Mental Health Day, former Soldier and Special Forces Operator Ray delivers a very disarming insight on resilience, creating a culture of wellbeing, empathy, humility, kindness, trust and belief as the backbone of any endeavour.
Dr. Norah Patten
Dr. Norah Patten, Aeronautical Engineer, Citizen Scientist, Astronaut Candidate and Changemaker discusses how space teams collaborate for successful missions, while adapting to and learning from the uncertainty of their environments – lessons we can all learn from!
Dr. Emmet Byrne discusses prostate health – topics covered will include:
- Prostate Cancer risk factors
- Daily habits to reduce risk factors
- Explanation of functional health for men
- Men’s Health and Disease Prevention Strategies including medication and
hormonal optimisation - Screening
Perfect Pairing
Perfect Pairing
The Tirlán brand now has pride of place on the new Kilkenny jersey alongside the Avonmore logo to mark our continued sponsorship of all Kilkenny inter-county GAA teams
The Tirlán brand now features on the right sleeve and across the shoulders at the back of the newly-launched jersey. The Avonmore name continues to feature proudly across the chest on Kilkenny jerseys, as it has done since 1994, making it one of the longest running GAA partnerships in the country.
The sponsorship relationship with Kilkenny GAA will also see all Kilkenny leisurewear carry the Tirlán brand.
The Chairman of Kilkenny GAA, PJ Kenny, said that he was delighted to retain the association with an organisation that makes a huge contribution to the south east of the country.
Proud hurling supporter and Tirlán CEO, Jim Bergin, said: “As a Co-operative based in Kilkenny, we are immensely proud of our hugely successful association between the number one dairy brand with one of Ireland’s most successful GAA teams of all time. The commitment, dedication and pursuit of excellence exhibited by the Kilkenny inter-county teams fits really well with the values that we pursue in Tirlán Co-operative, which is 100% owned by farmers in the south and east of Ireland.”
This high-profile sponsorship is part of our strategy to increase national awareness of the Tirlán brand.
The newly-launched Kilkenny jersey is available in time for Christmas and on sale now on www.oneills.com
Tirlán’s Low Carbon Future
Tirlán’s Low Carbon Future
Castlecomer is Tirlán’s first low carbon future store as part of the wider ‘Living Proof’ strategy to reduce emissions across Tirlán’s entire supply chain
The Tirlán CountryLife retail store is the first to roll out the new technology as part of our wider €11 million investment programme across our stores across 13 counties.
The pilot transformation includes the addition of 108 solar PV panels to the roof of the agribusiness and garden centre building, alongside a 15kW battery storage. The system is designed to power over 50% of the store’s energy needs.
Additional innovations in the pilot include the installation of educational displays across the store to inform customers about the energy savings that are being made. The store has also switched from gas to Bio LPG and green electric to support water and space heating. Rainwater is being harvested and LED lighting has been introduced throughout the building. The Tirlán CountryLife store’s forklift has also been replaced with a greener, more efficient electric model.
Pictured at the unveiling of the new technology at Tirlán’s CountryLife retail store in Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny were (L to R) Tirlán’s Head of Retail, Senan Foley, Director of Agribusiness, Dr Ailish Byrne and Chairperson John Murphy
Chairperson of Tirlán, John Murphy, said: “We’re particularly excited about sharing the information we will glean on savings made with our family farm suppliers, our customers and members of our communities in support of a greener energy transition.
“Our branches are a focal point for communities and we’re conscious of the importance of highlighting our actions to support sustainability to our customers and the younger generation. We acknowledge and appreciate the huge level of work across all our facilities and our farms as we all strive to reach our 2030 goals.”
Team GAIN
Team GAIN
International Showjumper Billy Twomey joins GAIN Equine Nutrition
International showjumper and Olympian Billy Twomey is the latest rider to join the GAIN Equine Nutrition family.
Twomey has had notable successes throughout his career, from representing Ireland at the London 2012 Olympics, competing on 36 Irish Nations Cup teams, recording back to back wins at Liverpool International horse show and also winning many of the world’s top Grand Prix’s, naming just a few.
Anne Priestman, National Sales Manager, GAIN Equine Nutrition said: “I am delighted to welcome Billy to the GAIN team and I am looking forward to following his success. I have been working with Billy for the past number of months to provide expert nutritional support to him and his team to ensure the horses are performing to the best of their ability as well as being healthy and looking great. I am confident that the horses will benefit from a consistently nutritious and balanced diet and very much look forward to working more closely with both Billy and his team in the future.”
Other ‘Team GAIN’ riders across multiple disciplines include Cian O’ Connor, Will Whitaker, Denis Lynch, Anthony Condon, Oliver Townend, Gemma Stevens and Guy Williams.