Fermanagh bakery Crust & Crumb has recently been awarded an annual contract worth an estimated £24 million with Lidl Northern Ireland to supply an expanded line of pizza products across more than 1,000 UK and Ireland stores.

Based in Derrylin, Crust & Crumb is the island of Ireland’s largest manufacturer of ambient, chilled and frozen dough-based products and employs more than 300 staff. The company has been a preferred long-term supplier to Lidl Northern Ireland since 2013.

Mark McCaffrey of Crust & Crumb Bakery Ltd., said: “Supported by a dedicated team of craft bakers, we take great pride in producing a range of world class products which pack real punch in quality, taste and value. We’re delighted to expand our partnership with Lidl Northern Ireland as part of a significant investment which supports our plans for continued growth. This partnership has enabled us to access new markets and expand our customer base across the UK and Ireland and it supports our ambitions for export sales to additional EU markets later this year.”

The new, dramatically-expanded Lidl Northern Ireland supply contract will see the leading local bakery supply 20 varieties of Deluxe range sourdough pizza, selected for its premium quality and craft ranges, six Chef Select pizza lines chosen for its supreme taste range, and two flavours of its Simply pizza value range.

Conor Boyle, Regional Director of Lidl Northern Ireland, said: “From small beginnings in 2013, we’ve built an outstanding relationship with Crust & Crumb and we are thrilled that this new contractual arrangement will bring its great-tasting, quality, locally-made products to thousands of new consumers in stores across the UK and Ireland.”

He continued: “An innovative company with renewed capacity for growth, Lidl Northern Ireland acknowledges this company’s hard work and commitment afforded by its team of staff and we’re proud to support its expansion.”

“This new partnership is also part of our commitment to provide shoppers with the best choice and value while also supporting ambitious local suppliers and quality produce,” Mr. Boyle concluded.

Crust & Crumb has two major production facilities in Derrylin, one of which is a gluten-free site. It also operates a further site in Ballyconnell, County Cavan, which it opened last year.

Since the beginning of its relationship with Crust & Crumb in 2013, Lidl Northern Ireland’s supply deal has helped to create 160 new full-time roles, in addition to improving access to sales in the UK, the Republic of Ireland and EU markets.

John Hood, Invest Northern Ireland’s Director of Food and Drink, welcomed the announcement: “Crust & Crumb is a highly ambitious company which we have supported since it established almost a decade ago. In what is an immensely challenging time for companies across Northern Ireland, we welcome Crust & Crumb’s longstanding partnership with Lidl Northern Ireland. This announcement is testament to the company’s sharp focus on innovation, which has been the driver in helping it to increase its product range and further its relationship with Lidl.”