Serving Food service Success

Jennifer Mulvey, Managing Director of Dundalk-based Martin Food Equipment, on putting customers first and driving success in Ireland's foodservice sector.

For Jennifer Mulvey, maintaining a thriving business starts with a few key principles: "Customers are key" and "A good product will stand on its own. You have to promote it and bring it to the forefront. Once it’s proven, it gathers momentum. People talk about that product and encourage others to embrace it."

As Managing Director of Martin Food Equipment, Jennifer is at the helm of a well-established business that has supported Ireland’s foodservice sector since 1991. With over 6,000 customers in its history and a diverse portfolio of world-class foodservice equipment, Martin Food is synonymous with quality and innovation.

Jennifer joined Martin Food in 2024, bringing with her decades of experience in the foodservice and retail industries. Her career began in her family’s business, learning the ropes from her father, who was a pioneer in food production and equipment distribution. This foundation taught her the intricacies of cost management, product innovation, and customer care.

Jennifer’s career has spanned multiple ventures in foodservice, retail, and brand-building. From managing supply chains to spearheading sales, her focus has always been on driving results through strong customer relationships.

At Martin Food Equipment, she found an opportunity to bring her expertise to an established yet evolving company. The Dundalkbased operation, with a team of 60 staff, supplies world-renowned equipment like Henny Penny, Rational, Turbochef, and Carpigiani. It also offers food safety products, disposable packaging solutions, and its own Blizz range of ice cream toppings and sauces.

Under Jennifer’s leadership, the company is undergoing significant transformation. “We are introducing new technologies and streamlining systems. "My goal is to help our teams leverage technology to work smarter and deliver even better service.” One key initiative is the rollout of Salesforce, set to launch in early 2025, which will enhance customer engagement and operational efficiency.

Martin Food’s success is built on more than just products—it’s about partnerships. The company offers customers a comprehensive suite of services, from menu development and staff training to kitchen management solutions. It employs in-house chefs, a dedicated design team, and 17 engineers to ensure every customer receives exceptional support.

As part of Cross Group, Martin Food is wellpositioned for its next phase of growth. Jennifer is focused on aligning Martin Food with the Groups ambitions while maintaining the company’s strong legacy.

Looking ahead to Catex 2025, Ireland's largest foodservice and hospitality event, Jennifer is excited to showcase Martin Food’s innovations and connect with customers. “Catex is an incredible opportunity to demonstrate our expertise and introduce new solutions to the marketplace. Our knowledge and dedication empower our customers to succeed.”

Throughout her career, Jennifer has remained committed to fostering strong relationships, both within her team and with customers. “It’s all about relationships. Our customers are dealing with a high-end team that understands their business. I’m incredibly proud of the energy and expertise we bring to the table. These are exciting times, and I’m confident we’ll continue to drive Martin Food to new heights.”