For Immediate Release 06.07.2010

County Cork is to benefit from twelve new food business ‘incubation units’, in a move that will significantly help to promote Ireland’s valuable indigenous food sector. The units will be provided by Cork County Enterprise Boards in conjunction with Cork County Council and will be located in Carrigaline, Fermoy, Skibbereen and Ballincollig.

The official announcement was made at yesterday’s Cork Food Forum in Kinsale (30th June, 2010). Speaking at the business development event, which was aimed at SMEs keen to further their knowledge of the Irish food sector, Michael Hanley, CEO of West Cork Enterprise Board, highlighted the importance of the new facilities:

“The food sector has long been a fundamental part of our activities in the Enterprise Boards. We see the promotion of the food industry as a crucial provider of jobs and enterprise activity, but also as a reflection of the diversity of taste, culture and entrepreneurial flair across the County and City.

Our commitment to the food sector extends to the provision of infrastructure for start-ups and ‘growth companies’. These small-scale food business incubation units will greatly contribute to the local economy. The premises are in ‘walk-in’ condition as they’re fully compliant with all health and food safety requirements. It’s an exciting announcement for the Cork County Enterprise Boards and we’re grateful to Cork County Council for their commitment to this new initiative.”

The Cork County Enterprise Boards have already begun to prepare for the launch of the new units by inviting start-up and existing food business SMEs to apply for the new scheme.

In total, six units will be made available in Carrigaline and two units will be made available in each of the other locations i.e. Fermoy, Skibbereen and Ballincollig. Fitted to Irish and EU food safety standards, the facilities are 1000 sq. ft each and will be rented at below market rates to twelve short-listed food businesses. The chosen SMEs will also benefit from intensive business mentoring in order to maximise their sales and expansion potential.

According to Michael Hanley, the announcement will help to ensure increased start-up activity throughout the remainder of 2010:

"It’s important to remember that the manufacture of food and drink products in Ireland has an estimated output approaching €20 billion. Across the country, almost 50,000 people are directly employed in the food and drink sector and a further 60,000 are indirectly employed within this sector. The significance of start-up SMEs can often be overlooked. However, today’s so-called ‘cottage industries’ are on track to become tomorrow’s large-scale exporters. We feel it’s essential to work at a local level to secure the future of one of Ireland’s most vital industries”, he explains.

More about the Food Forum Kinsale…

Top industry experts in the areas of media, communications, marketing, production and retailing gathered yesterday (30th June, 2010) to address food business entrepreneurs at the Cork Food Forum in Kinsale.

Funded and managed by the four Cork County & City Enterprise Boards in association with Bullseye Food Marketing, the business development event was designed to expand entrepreneurs’ knowledge in relation to the opportunities and challenges currently facing the Irish food sector.

Guest speakers at the event at Acton’s Hotel, Kinsale, included Liam Ryan of Ryan’s SuperValu chain; food entrepreneur Deirdre Hilliard of The Just Food Company; and internet and communications expert, Damien Mulley, founder of Mulley Communications.

While the Cork County Enterprise Boards already run comprehensive training and mentoring for food business entrepreneurs, including the Advanced Food Programme, the new ongoing series of Food Forum lectures provides an additional channel for food training and development.

The County Cork Enterprise Boards plan to run a Food Forum every six months. Each forum will highlight different aspects of the industry and respond to various issues or challenges that may arise within the sector.

The evening generally finishes with an open panel discussion and a showcase of successful local food companies.

This structure allows the forums to become more than simply a series of lectures. Two-way communication is actively encouraged. New and aspiring business owners get an opportunity to debate issues and exchange ideas with representatives of well-established businesses.

ENDS

For further press information, please contact:

Mr Conor Hyde,
Bullseye Food Marketing Ltd,
Unit 1G, The Atrium,
Blackpool,
Cork,
Ireland.
Tel: (021) 4776644
Mobile : (087) 6539676
E-Mail : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web: www.bullseye.ie

Alternatively, contact the West Cork Enterprise Board on 023-8834700 or South Cork Enterprise Board on 021-4975281.