Suki Tea invests over €560,000 in new eco-factory in Co. Down Spar celebrates 60th birthday with customer giveaway

Spar Ireland is officially celebrating its 60th anniversary; commemorating the signing of the brand’s original contract on 2 April 1963 in Dublin’s Shelbourne Hotel.

As part of these celebrations, the brand recently launched a nationwide campaign to reward valued Spar shoppers who were encouraged to visit their local store in a bid to win a daily cash prize between 2 – 8 April.

Irish tea company, Suki Tea has announced an investment of over €560,000 into a new headquarters office and factory site in Lisburn, Co Down. The new purpose-built ‘Tea Factory’ has allowed the company to immediately double its manufacturing and warehousing capacity, bolstering distribution and allowing for continued growth and expansion into 30 countries worldwide

Turning 18 years old this year, Suki Tea now has a state-of-the-art factory to help the team continue delivering excellence for its wide customer base The new factory provides the perfect creative space for innovation in blending and recipe creation, and a dedicated tea-rista training room for all customers.

The new factory move will also assist Suki in its goals for net zero carbon. In fact, it has allowed the business to reduce its Scope 2 emissions down to zero, superseding its environmental target to reduce the business’ emissions by 50% by 2030

The new facility, which was built in collaboration with a team of sustainability and heating experts from Invest Northern Ireland, is powered by 100% renewable energy sources including a 10kW Solar PV system. LED sensor lighting and PIR controls are installed throughout, along with large windows for maximised used of daylight and recycling of key waste streams.

4. Top spot for a walk?

The Phoenix Park, as I live nearby.

5. Top book recommendation?

Anything by Jo Nesbo.

6. Which social media platform do you use most?

Instagram and LinkedIn.

The campaign was supported by a significant investment in radio spot advertising, sponsorship of Dermot and Dave’s ‘Birthday Bingo’ quiz on Today FM and was further bolstered by a heavyweight social media campaign delivering over 1 million impressions across multiple platforms.

Shoppers were encouraged to visit their local Spar, take a photo of the special competition sign, and upload it to Spar’s Facebook page for a chance to win €1,963 each day throughout the week. More than 400 Spar retailers across the country joined in the celebrations by decking out their stores with 60th themed decorations, while messages of goodwill flooded the Spar Facebook page from entrants to the competition. ShelfLife will report on all the celebrations in greater detail in next month’s issue ■

More than 400 Spar retailers across the country joined in the celebrations by decking out their stores with 60th themed decorations, including Spar Firies, Co. Kerry, pictured here

10. Your favourite dish to make at home?

Meatballs from the Avoca cookbook, followed by the chocolate mousse recipe from our own Butlers Chocolate cookbook.

11. First thing you would do if you were Taoiseach?

Make public transport completely free for everyone.

Definitely the office, as we are all based here at the Butlers Factory.

16. Best piece of advice you ever received? Go big or go home.

17. Biggest fear?

Losing my son in Woodies.

1. Best series you recently watched on a streaming platform? Succession.

2. Best place for coffee?

Butlers Chocolate Café of course. We have a lovely café onsite here at the factory, but my absolute favorite spot is our café in the Red Mall at the Blanchardstown Centre.

3. Top movie recommendation?

Any of the Lord of the Rings films.

7. Favourite influencer/content creator if you have one?

Jim Hamilton - The Rugby Pod.

8. Best ad on telly?

An old one, but a good one is the Financial Regulator ad from years ago – “I don’t know what a tracker mortgage is…”

9. Worst ad on telly?

Not that I get much time to watch television these days, but I am not a fan of those Quote Devil ads.

12. If you had to live in another city, where would you choose? New York.

13. Greatest achievement to date? My family, building my own home and also heading up the sales team for Butlers Chocolates’ direct supply into the grocery retailers.

14. Best website? Joe.ie.

15. Do you prefer working from home or in the office/on-site?

18. Top restaurant recommendation? Trocadero in Dublin 2.

19. Best customer service you ever received?

I recently contacted Bord Gais about a billing query and their customer service was exemplary.

20. What’s the last compliment you received?

It was from one of my kids – “my dad is bald, but he’s very nice” ■