Kepak sweeps up seven awards at Blas na hEireann
Kepak Group has picked up seven awards at this year’s prestigious Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards, including a Gold award for its newly launched Centra Irish Angus Sirloin Steaks with Pink Peppercorn Butter.
As one of Europe’s leading food innovators, Kepak was up against the top Irish producers in a range of distinct categories at the country’s biggest competition for quality produce. Now in its 11th year, Blas na hEireann, saw over 2500 products entered across 100 food and drink categories, showcasing the best producers Ireland has to offer.
RUSTLERS Third Level Football season launched
The 2018/19 season for Third Level Football was launched at the FAI National Training Centre on Monday September 24 with sponsors RUSTLERS continuing their promotion of all competitions for the second year.
Over 110 teams are set to put down their books and lace up their boots in the upcoming season of the Colleges and Universities Football League. The first ball is set to be kicked on Tuesday 9th October.
Kepak Group Acquires 2 Sisters UK Red Meat Business
Kepak Group has reached an agreement with Boparan Holdings, Limited, to acquire the UK business and assets of 2 Sisters Red Meat, Limited, for an undisclosed sum.
The acquisition will significantly increase Kepak’s value and scale providing a number of complementary strategic fits; it strengthens the Group’s key customer supply chain partnerships; it is both a Brexit and a €/£ hedge for the existing and the new Irish-UK businesses; it is a sustainable source of UK raw material for Kepak’s meat-based value-added businesses which are located both in Ireland and in the UK and which supply Irish, European and UK customers. Under the terms of the agreement, Kepak assumes control of the business with immediate effect.
Kepak Wins Impressive Nine Awards at The World Steak Challenge for A Second Year in a Row
Flying the flag for Ireland, Kepak beat off stiff competition from entrants from large beef-producing nations such as Japan, Brazil and the United States to take home gold and bronze accolades across a number of different categories. Kepak was awarded two gold medals at the competition in grass-fed categories; in addition to picking up an award for Celtic Beef, the business’ US brand.
Greene Farm Launches #TakeBackLunch Campaign
Greene Farm teams up with TV chef, Clodagh McKenna, to launch the #TakeBackLunch Campaign Greene Farm has teamed…
Kepak Publishes Inaugural Sustainability Report
As part of its commitment to sustainability, Kepak is also working to significantly reduce water and energy usage, developing healthier products and share agricultural knowledge regarding on farm environmental awareness and biodiversity with farmers.
Kepak Group Signs €35m Contract with China-based Esen Agro Group
Kepak has signed a five-year distribution contract with China-based Esen Agro Group. The deal, which is valued at €35m, follows the recent announcement that Kepak’s Cavan-based pork and bacon producer McCarren Meats has been approved for exports to China.
The hunt has begun for Ireland’s best burger!
The hunt is on for Ireland’s best burger, as food lovers all over the country gear up for the first ever National Burger Day!
The nationwide event, which is sponsored by Kepak, and supported by Coca Cola, Heinz, Dubliner Cheese and Tour America will take place on June 21st with participating outlets all around the country marking the day by offering their customers a Buy on Get One Free exclusive offer on their signature burger.
Rustlers Puts In A Top Performance
Rustlers position as one of the UK’s top-performing FMCG brands has been confirmed in a definitive market report published by The Grocer magazine.
In its annual ‘Britain’s Biggest Brands’ survey, The Grocer reports that Rustlers has risen eight places, from 112 to 104, recording annual sales of almost £90 million, up 5.5% on last year (Nielsen Dec 2017).
Kepak to Serve Irish beef at Prestigious USA St Patrick’s Day Event
Taoiseach among high-profile guests at Good Friday Agreement commemoration
Despite being over 3,000 miles away, the Taoiseach will be enjoying the opportunity to savour the very best of Irish beef in Washington DC this week in the lead up to St Patrick’s Day. In accordance with the custom, Leo Varadkar will visit the President of the United States, Donald Trump, in the White House, but not before taking part in a number of key events.
Kepak Partners with Guinness on New Food Offering for Irish Pubs and Bars
Kepak has partnered with world-renowned Irish brand Guinness to create a new slow-cooked range for bar and hospitality industry.
The new products, some of which have been created using the famed Irish stout, will be showcased at Hospitality Expo 2018.
Bláthnaid Ni Fhátharta, Marketing Director for Kepak Foodservice & Corporate Communications, said:
“The face of the Irish bar sector has changed dramatically in recent years, and as a result, licensees have had to evolve and adapt their offering to keep up with ever-changing consumer demands and the evolution of eating and drinking habits out of home. This range was specifically developed with the publican in mind, this will allow them to offer world-class menu items without the hassle. In combining the brand pull of Guinness with a range of traditional, favourite dishes, Kepak have produced a unique offering that’s perfect for the licensed trade.”
Kepak Launches Innovative Loyalty Programme for Foodservice Operators
Kepak has launched a new online customer loyalty programme that adds an innovative dimension for trade customers when ordering Kepak/Big Al’s Foodservice branded products.
‘Food Alliance’ rewards selected Kepak foodservice customers such as food-to-go retailers, fast food operators, pubs, restaurants, coffee shops and hotels with points which can be redeemed for a fantastic range of personal and business items such as catering equipment, digital marketing tools, spa breaks, family fun days, holidays and much more. Operators can also donate their points to the Jack & Jill foundation and Kepak will match their donation.
Kepak Group acquires Moy Park Poppintree plant
Acquisition further increases Kepak capability in added value cooked products
Kepak Group has announced that it is to acquire the Moy Park Poppintree facility in Ballymun, Dublin 11. The acquisition is expected to be completed by the end of December. The Poppintree factory was custom built in 1995 and has been the subject of significant investment in cooking processes that complement the Kepak Group’s value added business interests.
Ireland’s foodservice market continues to grow
Ireland’s foodservice market continues to grow and is now valued at a record €7.8billion, comprising over 33,000 individual outlets. This is according to a 2017 Irish Foodservice Channel Insights Report from Bord Bia which was released at its annual foodservice seminar which we attended yesterday in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin.
Kepak Claims Gold at Irish Food Service Awards
Kepak wins best product across all categories and product ranges.
Tuesday, November 1st, 2017 – Kepak has scooped two awards with Musgraves Marketplace at this year’s Irish Foodservice Quality Food Awards.
Kepak Group Contributing €35m Annually to Cavan Economy
Kepak Group has revealed it is now contributing more than €35million annually to the local economy in Cavan through pork and bacon producer McCarren Meats; an increase of 50% since it acquired the business in 2013. Kepak has also revealed that process capabilities and throughout capacities at McCarren Meats have increased by 40% following a €15million investment in the facility by the company. Kepak, best known as a primary processor of beef and lamb, diversified into pork production with the acquisition of a majority shareholding in McCarren Meats in 2013. Staff levels at McCarren Meats have since increased by almost 40%, from 194 in 2013 to 269 currently.
Speaking at a media and stakeholder event in Cavan, John Horgan, Managing Director, Kepak Group, said: “Kepak diversified into pork for the first time in 2013 with the acquisition of a majority shareholding in McCarren Meats. Through that acquisition as well as more recent investments including Greene Farm Fine Foods in Westmeath and U.K. based Country Park Foods (CPF) – both of which have pork value-added cooking and processing capabilities, Kepak is heralding a major expansion of its value-added business.
Antimicrobial Resistance Action Plan
Kepak welcomes and supports the launch of Ireland’s National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). This National Action Plan was developed in line with the objectives of the World Health Organisation (WHO) global initiative to combat the misuse of antibiotics.
AMR is a growing issue in both human and animal health care. Kepak support the responsible and prudent use of antibiotics. From an animal welfare perspective where they need to be administered for specific ailments; adopting a balanced and proportionate response focused on infection and disease control.
Rustlers Announce AFC FYLDE Sponsorship
RUSTLERS has recently announced a deal with AFC Fylde, a professional football team based in Kirkham, to become an Official Club Partner and Sponsor of the men’s senior team. The brand will
feature on the shorts of the Senior Men’s Team who have had enjoyed a relatively good start to their season so far.
RUSTLERS will also partner with the AFC Fylde Community Foundation to become ‘The Principle Physical Activity Partner’ which will see up to 4,000 secondary school pupils in Lancashire benefit from the new partnership which aims to increase participation in physical activity for 16 – 24 year olds throughout Preston, Blackpool and Fylde.
Kepak to ‘taste the future’ at world’s largest trade fair
Kepak will be ‘tasting the future’ this week at the world’s largest and most important trade fair for the food and beverage industry, Anuga, which will open its doors on Saturday 7th October 2017 in Cologne, Germany.
More than 40 Kepak representatives will join 160,000 enthusiastic visitors who will discover the latest and most innovative products from more than 7,400 exhibitors and be inspired by the world’s largest range of products.
Rustlers Announced As Title Sponsor of 3rd Level Football In Ireland
RUSTLERS has been announced as the new title sponsors of the FAI’s Third Level football league for the 2017/18 season.
With over 110 teams set to compete in the upcoming season, it promises to be another exciting campaign as both the men’s and women’s teams will play their games under the banner of the RUSTLERS Colleges and Universities Football League. In June, RUSTLERS announced a four year sponsorship that sees the brand become an official sponsor of the FAI, the Republic of Ireland soccer team and the title sponsor of the RUSTLERS Colleges and Universities Football League.
Kepak scoops 11 awards at Blas na hEireann
Tuesday, October 3rd, 2017 – Kepak has scooped a whopping 11 awards at this year’s prestigious Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards.Kepak beat off stiff competition from other Irish producers to take home a range of accolades across several distinct categories, including the ‘Best in Leinster’ and ‘Best in Meath’ titles. Now in its 10th year, Blas
Kepak Clonee Receives USDA Aproval
Kepak Clonee was listed as a USDA approved plant in June giving Kepak Group four USDA approved plants out of a total of 10 approved beef plants in Ireland. Kepak Kilbeggan and Longford
were the first EU plants to be approved under the scheme, while Kepak Athleague has also been approved.
Kepak has also become the first plant in Ireland to gain approval to the newly established PVP scheme with Bord Bia.
Rustlers Announced Title Sponsor Of Irish Football League
RUSTLERS has been announced as the new title sponsors of the FAI’s Third Level football league for the 2017/18 season.
With over 110 teams set to compete in the upcoming season, it promises to be another exciting campaign as both the men’s and women’s teams will play their games under the banner of the RUSTLERS Colleges and Universities Football League.
Celebrities Provide Boost For Greene Farm
Green Farm has just come off the back of a hugely successful summer campaign for the brand. The campaign was inspired by the brand’s passion of convenience, versatility and naturally free from additives, gluten and …. Hassle. The campaign was designed to appeal to our target audience while creating awareness and engagement with the brand, after a period of little activity.
Greene Farm are delighted to team up with Niamh Kavanagh winner of Celebrity Master Chef and TV personality Baz Ashmazy. This partnership allowed the Greene farm brand direct access to thousands of social media followers and provide fun and relevant content to them.
Why visit the Irish Angus Producer Group at the Ploughing?
Miriam O’Callaghan, Minister Helen McEntee, secondary school student competition, elite Irish Angus cattle and more!
Irish Angus Producer Group’s stand at this year’s National Ploughing Championships will celebrate 50 years of the Irish Angus Cattle Society the fact that Irish Angus is now the biggest pedigree breed in the country.
SideKicks Prank Campaign Packs A Punch
To raise awareness of the product amongst consumers of the recently launched SideKicks range a prank video and radio advertisement have been created. The video packs a real punch for those who were pranked – people stitched up by friends at a fake food tasting. The video was released on Balls.ie and College Times to a followership of over 600,000. An accompanying 20-second radio advertisement has also been rolled out across Irish stations including 98fm, iRadio, RedFM and many more.
#BIGITUP with Big Al’s
During the summer, Big Al’s launched a massive campaign to encourage burger lovers to #BIGITUP with our new delicious Prime Burger. Big Al’s kicked off the campaign with a launch party in Meeting House Square Temple Bar styled as a trendy ‘back garden BBQ’ party. Big Al’s rolled in the #BIGITUP Truck to serve up gourmet offerings of the New Prime Burger to more than 100+ attendees at the event. Music for the party was provided by DJ Deece (Niall D’Arcy) who’s headlined events like Electric Picnic and Boiler Room.