New jobs as Asda contract sees Dromore firm expand

Well-known family-owned firm, Cottage Catering, secured the contract for its range of fresh cream trifles.

The contract has resulted in what has been described as “significant expansion” for the company, including 10 new jobs and the extension of its premises to meet demand.

Managing Director, Hertford Arnold, said: “The Asda trifle contract was fantastic news for our company, allowing us to expand our business and increase our capacity.

“And, as we are committed to local sourcing ourselves, there is a knock-on benefit for other Northern Ireland food companies. On a weekly basis we source eight tonnes of fresh cream, ten tonnes of custard and ten tonnes of jelly, which means a significant boost to our local suppliers such as Pritchett’s and Finlay’s Foods.”

Cottage Catering has in fact been supplying private label trifles to Asda since June this year.

The contract includes the value range ‘Smart Price’ 875g trifle and premium ‘Chosen By You’ Summer Berry Trifle, both manufactured at Cottage Catering.

More than 30,000 units are sold each week in Asda’s stores across the UK.

Head of Local Sourcing for Nothern Ireland and Scotland, Michael McCallion said: “It’s fantastic to have such a high quality product coming from Northern Ireland.

“We love seeing local companies graduating from supplying our 17 stores in Northern Ireland to dealing with the full Asda estate.

“It’s testament to the quality of our local food producers that they are capable of growing to meet the challenges of such a large contract.”