Dairy Concepts, headquartered at the Moorepark dairy research and development campus in Fermoy in Co Cork, has secured a significant international contract with Marks & Spencer.
The new deal includes the launch of a new high-protein, gluten-free, dairy snack range, developed in collaboration with Marks & Spencer, under the brand name M&S Cheese Clouds.
The new snack range will be sold in 580 M&S stores throughout the UK and Ireland.
M&S Cheese Clouds are a high protein snack developed as a healthy crunchy alternative to traditional snacks like crisps and nuts.
Dairy Concepts said the new collaboration with M&S has resulted in a significant increase in production volume at its Fermoy manufacturing facility.
The company hare hired five additional production staff, bringing the total number of Dairy Concepts employees to 24.
Tom Brennan, CEO of Dairy Concepts, said that becoming a supplier for M&S signifies a significant endorsement of the compay's innovative product development, operational standards, and product quality.
"With value-added dairy snack products made from a minimum of 98% cheese, this domestic and export partnership really supports Irish farmers and contributes to the growth of the wider Irish dairy industry," Mr Brennan said.
Eddie Murphy, Country Director for Marks & Spencer Ireland and Northern Ireland, said the retailer is growing its partnerships with Irish suppliers to offer customers quality Irish products, sourced locally and sold across the UK and Ireland.
"The launch of the innovative M&S Cheese Clouds range in partnership with Dairy Concepts marks a real milestone for both companies and shows the potential for more opportunities across our Irish supply chain," he added.
Dairy Concepts' brands include CheeseO's baked cheddar cheese snacks, Cáisnua crunchy cheese and Tapufin Dairy Bars.
