The Kettyle Irish Foods team has welcomed the launch of the Tesco Switch to Local campaign at their Lisnaskea HQ. Pictured are Ian Kernaghan, Production Manager, Belinda Carey, receptionist, Gemma Jennings, Sales and Duane Kille, Factory Manager
AN AWARD-WINNING meats manufacturer based in Lisnaskea is now retailing its range of products in 22 of Northern Ireland’s 38 Tesco stores.
Kettyle Irish Foods, which employs a staff of 45 at its Manderwood Park base, was the winner of the Growth Through Export category in last week’s Fermanagh Herald Business Gala Awards.
Its director, Maurice Kettyle, extimated that the Tesco contract is worth between £400,000-£500,000 a year.
“This is week seven we’ve been with Tesco, supplying bacon and beef lines and our retail pack and, as you probably know, we’re running the fresh meat counter in the Enniskillen (Tesco) store.”
A spokesman for Tesco said it now had over 90 local suppliers to its NI stores, delivering some 1,200 product lines.
She added: “ We have put our support behind local firms like Kettyle Irish Foods in a drive to encourage our customers to switch to buying more locally produced food and drink.
“It is estimated that, if every household switched just one or two products on the weekly shopping list for a home-grown or locally-made alternative, the Northern Ireland food and drink industry could be boosted by many millions of pounds and thousands of local jobs secured.”
Shoppers can spot local products in Tesco stores with the, ‘Taste NI’ logo on shelf and on packs.
Meanwhile, for Kettyle Irish Foods, it’s upwards and onwards.
Mr Kettyle reported that business generally was good.
“We are holding our own in the restaurant trade throughout Ireland, despite the recession, and in London as well as our distribution network throughout Europe.”
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