Lidl Ireland has recently announced a significant supply agreement with O’Brien Fine Foods, a leading cooked meats producer based in Kildare. The deal, valued at €60 million, is set to provide O’Brien Fine Foods’ products to Lidl stores not only in Ireland and Northern Ireland but also in Great Britain and several European countries including Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Romania, and Slovenia.
Established in 2000, O’Brien Fine Foods is a family-run business headquartered in Timahoe, County Kildare, operating from two dedicated facilities in Kildare and Westmeath. Since 2011, they have been supplying Lidl with their own brand sliced ham and beef lines, offering Lidl customers premium-quality, 100% Irish, Bord Bia Quality Assured products. This successful partnership has played a vital role in the remarkable growth journey of O’Brien Fine Foods, leading to an expansion of their workforce from 250 to 600 employees in recent years.
Exploring the World of Fine Foods
Kevin Duffy, Lidl Ireland’s Senior Buying Director, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting the growth and success of Irish producers both locally and globally. He expressed pride in the longstanding partnership with O’Brien Fine Foods, stating that their range of high-quality, 100% Irish, Bord Bia Quality Assured sliced ham, beef, and poultry products would now be available not just in Ireland and Northern Ireland but in Lidl stores worldwide, showcasing the best of Irish produce on a global scale.
John O’Brien, Managing Director of O’Brien Fine Foods, expressed gratitude for the long-term collaboration with Lidl, highlighting how the partnership has significantly contributed to the success of their family-run business in County Kildare. He acknowledged the opportunities provided by Lidl, allowing them to venture into new international markets and bring their quality Irish products to customers across Europe. O’Brien Fine Foods looks forward to continuing their fruitful relationship with Lidl for years to come.
Both Lidl and O’Brien Fine Foods share a sustainable business strategy. O’Brien Fine Foods has been a member of Lidl’s Supplier Engagement Programmer since 2022, which focuses on developing long-term sustainability plans for key suppliers. Lidl’s Supplier Engagement Programmer, being the first of its kind in Irish retail, tackles vital sustainability areas including carbon emissions, packaging reduction, circular economy, biodiversity, and water quality. To further support its supplier network on their sustainability journey, Lidl is hosting its annual Sustainability Summit in Dublin, where more than 100 of its suppliers, including O’Brien Fine Foods, will participate in educational sessions led by industry experts.
O’Brien Fine Foods is among the over 400 Irish suppliers within Lidl’s constantly expanding network. In 2022, Lidl procured goods worth over €1 billion from the Irish agri-food industry, with €318 million being exported internationally through Lidl’s extensive store network across the globe. Additionally, Lidl has invested more than €8 million in its annual Kickstart Supplier Development Programme, offering small to medium-sized Irish food and drink suppliers the opportunity to have their products sold in Lidl stores throughout Ireland.
In summary, Lidl Ireland’s partnership with O’Brien Fine Foods reflects its dedication to supporting local producers and promoting Irish products globally. The agreement underscores the high quality of O’Brien Fine Foods’ offerings and solidifies their shared commitment to sustainability. This collaboration demonstrates Lidl’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its supplier network and contribute to the growth of the Irish agri-food industry.
