{"id":1337059,"date":"2024-06-26T09:45:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-26T08:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.agriland.ie\/?p=1337059"},"modified":"2024-06-26T09:25:37","modified_gmt":"2024-06-26T08:25:37","slug":"corks-dairy-concepts-secures-international-contract-with-ms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lightsail.agriland.ie\/farming-news\/corks-dairy-concepts-secures-international-contract-with-ms\/","title":{"rendered":"Cork’s Dairy Concepts secures international contract with M&S"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dairy Concepts, headquartered at Moorepark dairy research and development campus in Fermoy, Co. Cork, has clinched a significant international contract with leading retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The deal includes the launch of a new high-protein, gluten-free, dairy snack range, developed in collaboration with Marks & Spencer, under the brand name M&S Cheese Clouds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It will be sold in 580 M&S stores throughout the UK and Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Cork company said that the collaboration with M&S has resulted in a significant increase in production volume for Dairy Concepts at its Fermoy manufacturing facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This growth has necessitated the hiring of five additional production staff, bringing the total number of employees to 24.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dairy Concepts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

M&S Cheese Clouds are a high protein snack – 8g protein per 20g pack – developed as a healthy crunchy alternative to traditional snacks like crisps and nuts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leveraging its product research and development expertise, and state-of-the-art technology at its manufacturing facility in Fermoy, Dairy Concepts crafts the snacks by combining premium Irish Cheddar with a unique vacuum-cooking process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The snacks have been developed in such a way as to not require refrigeration or special storage conditions and can be stored at room temperature, remaining fresh for an extended period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The dairy manufacturer has said that this characteristic ensures an extended shelf life and reduced storage requirements for retailers, facilitating seamless exports and appealing to a broader customer base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Eddie Murphy, M&S and Tom Brennan, Dairy Concepts CEO. Image source: Gerard McCarthy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

CEO of Dairy Concepts, Tom Brennan said: \u201cFor Dairy Concepts, becoming a supplier for M&S signifies a significant endorsement of our innovative product development, operational standards, and product quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cWith value-added dairy snack products made from a minimum of 98% cheese, this domestic and export partnership really supports Irish farmers and contributes to the growth of the wider Irish dairy industry.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Country director for Marks & Spencer Ireland and Northern Ireland, Eddie Murphy commented: “At M&S, we’re growing our partnerships with Irish suppliers to offer our customers quality Irish products, sourced locally and sold across the UK and Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe launch of the innovative M&S Cheese Clouds range in partnership with Dairy Concepts marks a real milestone for both companies and shows the potential for more opportunities across our Irish supply chain.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Fermoy-based companyand M&S are planning further expansion in the partnership with plans for new product development, including a new flavour variant and larger pack sizes scheduled for launch in early 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n