Expansion for Blackthorn Foods
21 February 2012 – To meet fast growing sales in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland, Blackthorn Foods is planning a significant expansion.
Blackthorn Foods, based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, experienced a 50 per cent growth in sales of its handmade and hand wrapped fudge range last year and has recently secured an important contract from Lakeland, the UK home shopping pioneer, which will see its ‘Melting Pot’ brand premium fudge featuring in the top retailer’s hampers.
The company, which has won a series of UK Great Taste Awards for quality fudge, is planning to more than triple production capacity to meet demand for existing products and new gourmet sauces to be launched soon.
The growth in sales has also been driven by innovative products including two fudge fondue flavours, original and chocolate, in distinctive terracotta pots successfully launched last year in Britain and the Republic of Ireland.
“Fudge Fondue is proving to be a very important diversification for us and has filled a market gap for a gourmet fudge-based dip that can be heated quickly in a microwave or used on a barbecue.
“This success has encouraged us to explore other market opportunities for our expertise in fudge based products,” says Jenny Lowry, who founded the business with sisters Dorothy Bittles and Cathy Johnson in 2004.
“Our business has been growing year-on-year since 2004 and is being driven by sales in Great Britain, the Republic of Ireland and also now in the US. As a result of our sharp focus on these markets, we now sell 98 per cent of our fudge and fondues outside Northern Ireland. The Lakeland contract is a marvellous boost for the business because it gives us a springboard for growth with a leading UK retailer.
“In addition to developing sauces, we have been working on confectionery products including liquorice, our objective is to diversify into other market segments and thereby provide scope for further growth this year and beyond,” she adds.
The expansion will see the introduction of the latest vacuum packaging machinery that will help to increase productivity particularly for the UK, Ireland and export markets.
“While we aim to increase productivity substantially our focus will continue to be on artisan products that are largely handcrafted and use only natural ingredients. Unlike some other fudge manufacturers we don’t use any E-numbers or additives to preserve our portfolio of products. Customers won’t need a science qualification to understand our small list of ingredients.”
The company has also secured business from the National Trust for its product range. Other key clients include Dobbies in the UK and Ireland’s Superquinn grocery chain.
The products also feature with distributors including Cotswold Fayre, Hider and Simply Wild.
