Jun
02
Mervyn’s at home in Tyrone
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This month, Trade People meets Mervyn McCaughey, managing director of Fivemiletown Creamery, producer of award-winning Irish traditional cheeses…
Tell us a little about yourself and how you became involved in this business?
I’m originally from Cullybackey and my early experiences in this sector were in retail and wholesale grocery. In 1990, I moved to Moy Park and eventually became their group purchasing manager. In 1996 I was headhunted to work in Berlin for a German plastics manufacturer before moving to Chester where I spent eight years working for a ready meals manufacturer. I was commercial director for the business and it was in that role that I gathered the skills to take on the challenge at Fivemiletown Creamery.
Commuting to Belfast weekly became a pain and by accident, I came across the role at Fivemiletown. I had known the company from my job at Moy Park. I applied for the role and was fortunate to be appointed. That was October 2004 and it truly seems like yesterday.
How would retailers and consumers in Northern Ireland be familiar with your business?
We are the only speciality cheese producer in Northern Ireland and together with our traditional cheddar, all of our products win dozens of international awards annually.
The business was formed in 1898 but it is really only in the last 10 years that we have been retailing in the local market. The USA and Europe had been the focus of the business but this changed a few years ago. Over the past five years, we’ve worked closely with the retailers here and have built up a very credible relationship with each of them.
What do you believe are the biggest concerns currently facing your company?
Input costs are always a concern. Electricity, water and effluent all have risen in the past few months and the cost of trying to be ‘green’ will further add to this. Last December, we were awarded the environmental certificate ISO 14001. This is helping us control our impact on the environment.
Another challenge is maintaining our image to customers and consumers. Last year, we were awarded Supplier of the Year by Sainsbury’s and almost 30 international cheese awards. Keeping this standard will provide a challenge going forward.
And the biggest opportunities?
We have embarked on a rather vigorous product development programme using an award-winning NPD chef based in England. So we’re hopeful that over the coming months, we will have an increased offering on the shelves.
Great Britain holds the biggest opportunity for us over the next few years. Sainsbury’s and ASDA stock some of our range nationally. We’re also being stocked by CJ Lang, the Spar wholesaler in Scotland and soon, by two other Spar wholesalers. We’re also in around 1800 independent cheese shops and delicatessens in GB. We have appointed eight wholesalers to grow this business for us, we now have a sales office outside Chester and our plan is to really grow our GB sales.
What has been your biggest personal achievement in business?
I’ve got to say being appointed MD at Fivemiletown Creamery. It has allowed me to create a team around me that I’m very proud of. In the past five years, we’ve doubled turnover, doubled the workforce, won over 120 awards, invested several millions in the business and retuned one of the top milk prices in the province.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Count to 100
What frustrates you most in your daily work?
Not being able to count past 10. Honestly, there are not enough hours in the day.
And what do you most enjoy?
Seeing the team succeed and grow. The business has moved some individuals out of their comfort zone and they have thrived. There were people in the business who had potential but weren’t being given the chance. By giving them an opportunity to develop, the business and they have benefitted.
How do you relax?
Up until last September, I presented a three-hour radio show five nights a week on a local station. It was good fun. Now my pastime is learning to count past 10.
What are your personal priorities going forward?
To remain focused on taking the business to the next stage. I believe we have about 10 to 15 years hard work ahead to realise the potential of our brands in the market place. I also want to make things up with my family by spending more time with them.
And where would you like to see your business in five years’ time?
We still have lots of new customers we need to attract. There are several big names we are talking too and it will take time for these relationships to deliver real benefit to the business.
There are 60m consumers in GB so we have lots to go after. I am content that we have the right product, made in the right conditions, marketed correctly and loved by a growing number of consumers. And I’m confident this will continue.
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