Lidl Ireland has announced a new multi-million-euro deal with Cork-based seafood company Keohane Seafoods, valued at more than €20 million.
This new deal will bring its fresh and frozen Irish seafood products to Lidl stores across the island of Ireland, in addition to an increase of exports to selected Lidl stores in Great Britain, the US, Germany, Cyprus, Italy and Greece, making them Lidl Ireland’s largest fish supplier.
Growing Fish Range
Salmon, mackerel, trout, and coley are just a few of the products in Keohane seafoods growing range available in Lidl’s stores in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
As part of the new contract, the company has been awarded the supply of three new fresh salmon items to two Lidl Great Britain regional distribution centres in Avonmouth outside Bristol and Bridge End in Durham worth over €4 million.
Family Run Business
Keohane Seafoods was founded by Michael Keohane and his two sons Colman and Brian in 2010.
Natives to the coastline of West Cork, the family-run company's 'deep knowledge and passion for the fishing industry and seafood abetted the family to identify a gap in the market for fresh and frozen quality Irish seafood products,' Lidl said.
Ten-Year Partnership
In 2011, the company secured its first contract with Lidl Ireland supplying just two salmon darnes, alongside a cod and mackerel product.
Commenting, Colman Keohane, managing director, Keohane Seafoods stated that the partnership with Lidl over the past ten years has brought a 'wave of success' to the company.
Sustainability Focus
According to Lidl, the business invests hugely in innovation and research, including consumer insights, new product development, such as recipe generation, and has a keen focus on ensuring that its product offering satisfies customers' needs.
"We strive to provide a trusted quality product and sustainability is a core value that is very important to us," said Keohane.
"All our seafood is sourced from responsibly managed fisheries and farms. And with the support from the team at Lidl, we can maximise the ongoing investment by adjusting the way we operate so we can continue to innovate, create new products and reduce the environmental impact of the range,” he added.
Domestic And International Markets
The retailer said that Keohane’s 'drive a tight ship and strive to revolutionise the seafood industry, supplying both fresh and frozen products to the domestic and international markets, as well as local restaurants and hotels.'
Commenting on the new deal with Lidl Ireland and Lidl International, Brendan Conway, head of buying at Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland said, "This latest partnership with Keohane’s amplifies the quality and success of their products with our customers here and abroad."
Employment Opportunities
Lidl said that the seafood business has seen continued growth and now employs a workforce of more than 220 employees, becoming one of Ireland’s largest quality seafood processors.
"Through Lidl’s ongoing investment over the years Keohane’s have considerably upscaled their business, providing significant employment opportunities to the local community," said Conway.
"Their commitment to product development, business innovation and sustainable initiatives never cease and exemplifies our business ethos at Lidl."
2022 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. For more retail news click here. Click sign up to subscribe to Checkout.
