Follaín win €200,000 Love Irish Food Brand Elevator Award
Love Irish Food has today announced that Follaín has won the Love Irish Food Brand Elevator Award in association with Independent Newspapers. The company based in rural West Cork, beat off competition from sixty six other companies to win a €200,000 advertising campaign from Independent Newspapers.
Speaking on the announcement Kieran Rumley, Executive Director of Love Irish Food said: “I would like to congratulate Follaín on winning this award, they are a true inspiration to any food manufacturer starting a company in these times, their commitment to the local community and Irish heritage in an extremely competitive sector is of huge credit to them. I have no doubt that the advertising campaign through Independent Newspapers will really catapult them onto the next level and I look forward to watching their future success.”
Follaín who started life in the last recession with a 100-year old recipe for chunky Grapefruit Marmalade has built up an excellent business over the years, growing steadily by increasing the range of preserves and expanding into what is now a state of the art, modern food factory, built and equipped to the highest standards. Follaín (the Irish for wholesome) place huge emphasis on their Irish heritage, something which impressed the judges.
Speaking about their Irish heritage Mairín Ui Lionaird who founded the company with her husband Peadar said ‘We are proud of our Irish heritage. Our biggest competitors, although sometimes, “Irish Brands” are now made outside of Ireland, contributing little to employment in the food industry. We will continue to source our fruits here, and to grow jobs in the local community, who in turn support us, and have helped to make us the biggest producer of jams and marmalades in Ireland. “Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine” (It is in each others’ shadows/shelter that people live)’
The judging panel which included Tom Trainor, Chief Executive of the Marketing Institute of Ireland, Kieran Rumley, Executive Director of Love Irish Food and Irish Independent Journalist Darragh McCullough looked for companies which they felt had the right mix of ability to capitalise on the prize and most importantly will deliver a clear benefit to Ireland. As well as the unmistakeable Irish heritage the judges were also impressed with Folláin’s ability to innovate and introduce new products to meet changing consumer tastes and needs.
“New product development has always been instrumental in Folláin’s growth in the market. For example the idea for a No Added Sugar range of jams and marmalades came eight years ago after we noted the trend towards healthier lifestyles and realised that grape juice could be used to naturally sweeten the taste of preserves. Folláin intends to continue launching new products and bringing innovation to a very traditional and dormant preserves market and attract a younger consumer profile”. – Mairín Ui Lionaird, Folláin
Launched in June the Love Irish Food Brand Elevator Award in association with Independent Newspapers aims to recognise the significant impact food and drink manufacturers have had on this country and to encourage further consumer support for Irish brands. The winning company will benefit from a €200,000 advertising package from Independent Newspapers aimed at bringing their business to the next level. Whilst the brand does not need to be a member of Love Irish Food it does need to meet the criteria for membership i.e. 80% of the value must be derived from manufacturing in the Republic of Ireland and the brand must use Irish ingredients where available. The Judging panel includes Darragh McCullough, journalist with the Irish Independent and Ear to the Ground, Kieran Rumley, Executive Director of Love Irish Food, and Tom Trainor, Chief Executive of the Marketing Institute of Ireland, which is supporting the initiative.
For further press information please contact Darragh Rea in MCsquared on 0868981062 or drea@mcsquared.ie
