Tánaiste Supports The Export Of Ireland’s Finest – Irish Coffee"Competition benefits more alert players" - Harney

The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade & Employment, Mary Harney T.D., was present to-day (Wednesday 25th April 2001), when young Irish Entrepreneur, Bernard Walsh, signed his first Million Dollar deal, with the US drinks importer Bradley Trading Corporation (BTC).

Bernard and Rosemary Walsh from County Carlow are the brains behind another exciting new drink to come out of Ireland. The Hot Irishman Company was formed last year to produce and market a blend of Irish Coffee and to simplify the intricate ceremony involved in producing this luxury drink that is the best in the world, irrespective of where in the world it is poured

According to Bernard Walsh their aim is "two fold, firstly simplify the making of this time-consuming gourmet drink and secondly that Hot Irishman delivers a consistently great Irish Coffee time after time".

The Tánaiste said that "Bernard and Rosemary Walsh had responded to the opportunities presented by the increased international competition in the food and drinks sector". Competition she said, benefited the more alert players and significant rewards were available to both producers and consumers, as new ideas were explored, new standards set and new products introduced. She was particularly pleased to support the efforts of an Irish drinks company at a time when consumers were becoming more international and adventurers and were demanding the highest standards in quality, safety and hygiene.

The Department’s Headquarters was the location for the finalisation of an agreement with BTC that secures sales of 11,000 cases of product by the end of 2003 worth over 1 million dollars. With markets established in Ireland and the UK, the Company is now launching onto the vast US market with this very impressive deal.

BTC is a niche US drinks importer and identified the Hot Irishman as a unique product, which can address a gap in the US market for consistently good Irish Coffee’s. BTC plans to bring the worlds finest bottled Irish Coffee State-Side in this 1Million Dollar Deal. According to Jim Bradley, CEO of BTC "Irish Coffee is a tremendously popular drink in the US and the Hot Irishman fills a void by offering a consistently high quality, authentic Irish Coffee to the American trade".

The Tánaiste said "New standards of food safety and hygiene were being rigorously enforced at national and European levels, and these were necessary measures to restore consumer confidence in food and drink, at retail, supply and production levels. These standards will be re-enforced when the European Food Safety Authority is in place. Ireland had a proud tradition in food and drink production, but tradition alone was no longer enough in facing the fresh challenges that global trends and expectations demanded".

The Tánaiste was pleased to note that Hot Irishman has also devolped an E-Commerce capability. She said "The new economy is driven by a technological revolution , which requires fundamental change in how business is done and how enterprises organise themselves. Small enterprises must be part of the new economy, if they are to survive and grow. They should be acutely aware that the greatest opportunities have been identified in the business-to-business, e-commerce (B 2 B) area of internet activity. The economics of the technology are compelling and particularly so for small business".

Earlier this year the Hot Irishman was awarded the much-coveted Gold Mercury Award for best Food and Beverage Product at the International Flight Catering Association Annual Conference and Trade Show (IFCA) in Barcelona earlier this month. The Hot Irishman was one of six companies, which exhibited under the Board Bia ‘Ireland the food Island’ banner at IFCA. According to Michael Duffy, Chief Executive of Board Bia, "this is the first time an Irish product has been awarded the Gold Mercury Award. This award is considered the most prestigious for innovation, quality, application and customer satisfaction. It is eagerly sought after by many of the best catering companies in the world".

The drink is currently served on board several of the worlds International Airlines but the award is set to further drive demand for the product.

Also present at the signing was Mr. Michael P Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of Carlow County Enterprise Board. Mr. Kelly said "the Board had been involved at the beginning of the process, having funded the initial feasibility study which led to the development of the product. The demands on an executive in a small business are frequently greater than those experienced in a large corporation. The Enterprise Board is available to small enterprises, like Hot Irishman to provide information, training and advice in addition to financial support. The Boards’ activities and supports clearly stimulate innovative economic activity at a local level".

2000 was an excellent first year for the Hot Irishman but the company now wants to fast forward its growth. To do this the company will be moving into new territories, such as the US under this agreement with BTC. Using the US model the Hot Irishman hopes to create similar partnerships in other territories. The opportunities open to the Hot Irishman are enormous and 2001 should prove to be an exciting year.