Minister Martin Launches 2008 "First Sale" Programme in Cork

Programme Delivers €2m in Sales for Pilot Participants

Today (11th February 2008) Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin T.D. officially launched the 2008 First Sale programme at a business breakfast in Cork. The First Sale programme, developed by Enterprise Ireland in partnership with Musgrave, and assisted by Bord Bia, is designed to enable early stage food companies to understand the requirements of large food retailers, thereby enabling them to develop sustainable businesses.

Nine Irish food companies, including Sunshine Juice, FreshCut Food Services, Dunhill Cuisine and Broadway Bagels participated in earlier pilot programmes which ran in 2005 and 2006. In 2007, the pilot participants recorded a collective €2m in direct sales to Musgrave.  This joint initiative has been so successful, that it has been decided to double the number of companies participating in the 2008 programme.

Launching the 2008 First Sale programme, Minister Martin said: 
"The First Sale programme is a highly practical industry-led programme that has already opened doors for early-stage Irish food companies. The Food Sector is our largest indigenous sector and a key contributor to the Irish economy. Encouraging and supporting the creation of Irish food companies is a key priority for Enterprise Ireland".

"Musgrave brings a wealth of in-market experience to the programme and I would like to sincerely thank them for their continued support of the programme and its participants" the Minister added. 

Commenting at the launch Tom Hayes, Head of the High Potential Start-Up Unit at Enterprise Ireland said: 
"The 2008 First Sale Programme is a highly innovative programme, which enables small start-up food companies to fully understand the workings of the retail sector and the best approach to take in order for them to secure a listing with a retailer such as Musgrave, who operate the SuperValu and Centra retail brands."

"The programme is open to High Potential Start-Up food companies and Enterprise Ireland is currently recruiting up to 10 participants for the 2008 programme due to commence in April".

Donal Horgan, Managing Director, Musgrave said: 
"75% of everything sourced by Musgrave on behalf of its retail partners in SuperValu and Centra, is either produced or manufactured in Ireland.  This represents a commitment of more than €2.6 billion to Irish suppliers.  As a consequence, Musgrave supports over 600 Irish supplier companies and over 10,000 jobs indirectly.  We are delighted to support the First Sale programme, which represents our ongoing commitment to providing small innovative local suppliers with the assistance to get their product to market, via our extensive network of stores."

"Our commitment to Irish suppliers means that companies that we have supported in the past, such as Clonakilty Food Company and Follain, makers of fine preserves, marmalades and chutneys, have become household names.  First Sale is an ambitious programme, which has already borne fruit for the companies involved, with €2m in sales to Musgrave in 2007 and over 35 different products ready for launch by the companies in 2008.  We are looking forward to facilitating further Irish food companies get their products and their businesses off-the-ground. Musgrave is committed to helping people build vibrant local communities."

The six month, First Sale programme, consists of a combination of workshops (delivered by Musgrave and food industry experts) and 1-on-1 mentoring.  It will be offered to companies that have the potential to meet Enterprise Ireland's criteria for High Potential Start-Ups and also have the potential to offer Musgrave and its retail partners in SuperValu and Centra, a product or service suitable to be marketed to its customers. 

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For Further Information Contact:
Sarah O'Callaghan   (or)                         Sue Lamon-Diver
Press Officer                                          Communications Manager
Enterprise Ireland,                                  Musgrave Retail Partners Irl
Tel: +353 (0) 1 808 2755                        Mob: 086 227 3397
Mob: +353 (0) 87 125 3221                    sue.lamondiver@musgrave.ie
E-mail: sarah.ocallaghan@enterprise-ireland.com