GLENMAR SHELLFISH
Background
Located in West Cork, Glenmar Shellfish specialise in prawns, squid, hake, fresh fish, crab and shellfish. In recent years, the company has modernised its approach towards the buying, production and selling to adjust to the rapidly changing nature of the fishing industry.
It can freeze and grade products on board fishing vessels within 20 minutes of catch.
The company's boats fish in the Porcupine Bank, South Irish Sea and North Irish Sea.
Exporting
Glenmar Shellfish has been serving the export fishing industry for more than 30 years. The company recently opened two processing and distributing centres near Dublin Port and Dublin Airport, giving them the opportunity to export on daily basis.
They currently export more than 550 tons of product to markets such as China, Hong Kong, Korea, Italy, Spain, France and Croatia.
IRISH DISTILLERS
Background
Irish Distillers was formed in 1966 following the merger of three of the great Irish whiskey distillers, namely John Jameson & Sons, Powers & Sons, and the Cork Distillery. To survive and prosper, the company decided there was nothing for it but to close its existing distilleries in Cork and Dublin and consolidate production in a new, purpose-built facility in Midleton, Cork.
In 1988, the company joined French drinks conglomerate Pernod Ricard.
Exporting
In 1988, Jameson Irish Whiskey sold 466,000 cases globally, with Ireland as its main market. Pernod Ricard quickly identified Jameson as a flagship brand with potential in all four corners of the globe. By the end of 2012, Jameson had reached the milestone of four million cases sold globally and is the number oneIrish whiskey in the world with a 64 per cent share of global Irish whiskey sales. It is sold in 108 markets worldwide.
SILVER HILL FOODS
Background
Founded over 50 years ago in Emyvale, Co Monaghan, Silver Hill Foods is a family-owned duck company. All aspects of duck production are owned and controlled by Silver Hill Foods, from breeding, egg production, hatching and selection to processing and cooking.
Ronnie and Lyla Steele established the business in 1962 and their son Stuart now runs it.
He believes the secret of their success is the unique Silver Hill Hybrid duck; a breed exclusive to the company.
Exporting
Exporting has always played an important role in the company's strategy, with more than 80 per cent of turnover being export related.
The company has embarked on a five-year growth plan to double its turnover, based on expanding their range of products in markets such as in Germany, France, Denmark, Belgium and Netherlands in 2014. This will then be extended into the target markets of the UAE, South Africa, Sweden, Iceland and Spain in 2015.
