McErlain's Baking Success

A local firm, McErlain's Bakery has secured a new contract with Tesco worth almost half million pounds annually.

The increase in its business with Tesco represents a significant growth for the Magherafelt-based bakery with the listing of a number of new products across Tesco in-store bakeries in Northern Ireland.

McErlain's Bakery has developed the new range of bakery products under the Tesco finest brand.

Cliff Kells, Commercial Manager for Tesco in Northern Ireland, said: "The bakery is renowned for premium quality products in the local market under the Genesis Crafty brand. They have worked effortlessly to retain the skills formed in traditional home bakeries. Similarly to Tesco supporting local suppliers, McErlain's Bakery only source the best local ingredients and have won many awards for the quality of their scones and breads over the last ten years."

Brian McErlain said: "Any increase in business in the current climate is welcomed so we are delighted to have secured this significant contract with Tesco.

"We will be expanding our existing portfolio of morning goods with Tesco which are all hand crafted.

"Our scones are individually rolled cut by hand and our breads mirror the traditional products that would have been found in Northern Ireland's vibrant home bakeries in the 80s, most of which have all but disappeared," said the bakery executive.

"With Tesco Technical Manager Declan Ferguson, we identified an opportunity in the marketplace to create new products by kneading, chaffing and doing things by hand the traditional way.

"It's difficult, but it's essential for perfect tastes and textures. For us, baking is the perfect mix of creativity and science. We use only the finest quality ingredients, combined together with care and attention, we’re able to create difficult, different but undeniably delicious products, every day of the week."

(BMcC)