Newproduct development forlocalfirms
TWO County Wexford-based seafood companies are in the final stages of new product development following their attendance at a series of workshops primarily focusing on the French and Continental markets and discussing the issues affecting the UK market post-Brexit.
Seafood companies – Sofrimar and Atlantis Seafoods, from County Wexford - Ballycotton Seafoods, Irish Seaspray, Irish Fish Canners and Morgan’s Fine Fish benefited from tailored Innovation surgeries from renowned experts Francois Denis and Mike Burthet.
Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Ireland’s Seafood Development Agency hosted the ‘Seafood Innovation Academy’ workshops at its Seafood Development Centre in Clonakilty.
The surgeries were designed to meet the specific needs of the attending companies with a focus on launching products in the French market with Francois Denis and operating on the UK market in the Brexit environment with Mike Berthet.
All attending companies were given support from BIM’s Seafood Technologists to discuss projects in the pipeline and plans for the coming year around New Product Development and Innovation.
Attendees also gained insights into product research from Aiden Lee, Managing Director, Eolas International and in new product development from Daniel Emerson, Managing Director of Stonewell Cider.
As a result of participating in BIM’s Seafood Innovation Academy, all eight seafood processing companies have now adopted an innovation process in their factories and in the majority of cases are now at final stages of new product development.
John Kenny, the managing director of Sofrimar, said the company was trying to add value to the raw fish coming in. ‘We’re looking at products that have never been on the market before, niche market products. All our products are gluten free.’ said Mr Kenny.
He said that because of the uncertainty created by Brexit, Atlantis was concentrating on export markets in the European Continent - with Germany, Italy and France perceived as the main customers. ‘We find that over the last two years because of added value we have taken on six or seven people and that’s where we see the growth,’ he said. Atlantis currently employs 52 people in Wexford. Atlantis Seafood recently won the BIM ‘Seafood Innovation Award’ at this year’s Blas na hEireann awards in Dingle for their Kilmore Quay haddock goujon range SEAN Stafford Snr was last week announced as the inaugural recipient of the AIB North Wexford Outstanding Contribution to Business Award.
He was presented with his award at a lunch hosted by Gorey Chamber in The Ashdown Park Hotel. Chamber president Jim Hughes said that Sean has ‘created a brand based on delivering quality from his first business in Gorey 60 years ago right up today.’
‘He has been an icon for many and has been one of my heroes since I first became interested in business,’ he added.
Sean was presented with a leaded glass piece, designed and created by Biance De Vito, and sourced from Market House Design, Gorey.
Sean thanked his family for their support over the years. ‘Without them I couldn’t have achieved anything,’ he said. Members of Sean’s family were in attendance, including his son and daughter Sean and Una. The AIB was represented by manager Keith Groarke.
Sean grew up in Wexford town and to this day, his accent is distinctly one synonymous with the town, but his business, social and sporting links have extended much further afield.
Staffords Bakery now employs more than 300 people at its base in Clonattin, and in Gorey, Arklow, and Wexford.