Crilco wins contract
Crilco Confections in Northern Ireland has won a £1m contract to supply a range of confectionery to Poundland, the UK discount chain. Based in Newry, county Down, Crilco is supplying bagged jellies and hard-boiled sweets under the Poundland brand. The two-year contract is the Northern Ireland company’s first major business in Great Britain. Crilco is supplying the confectionery to more than 280 Poundland stores across the UK in what the family-owned and run business describes as “one of its biggest” deals to date. The contract with Poundland is the outcome of extensive marketing of its handmade sweets in Britain over the past few years. Director David Crilly says: “This is fantastic news for the business in a market where we have been chasing business for three to four years. It’s a tremendous boost for everyone at Crilco and carries forward our existing success in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.” The company was formed in 1974 and is one of the few remaining manufacturers of hard-boiled sweets in Ireland. Crilco has invested £3m in new production technology to increase productivity and enhance competitiveness, especially in Great Britain. It already supplies most of the leading retailers on the island. Around 90 per cent of its business is currently with customers in the Republic Within an extensive portfolio of confectionery products, the company’s current best-seller in the Irish Republic is the traditional clove rock. In addition to clove rock, the small company offers a range of hard-boiled sweets such as old favourites such as brandy balls, butter-balls and fruit jellies including fruit gums. It also produces chocolate products including caramels and chocolate fruits. As part of its investment in future growth, the company recently introduced foil packaging for its own-brand favourites such as cola cubes and pear drops.
