€1m investment in Sligo based heath food company

By Business & Finance
24 March 2014

Good4U, the award winning Sligo based health food company, has secured a €1mn investment in a funding round from Western Development Fund, Enterprise Ireland, AIB and internal investment from the company.

The investment, combined with increased sales and new business opportunities, will fuel the expansion of Good4U by facilitating the opening of a new R&D and production headquarters in Finisklin Business Park in Sligo and lead to the creation of 25 new positions over the next two years.

Founded in 2004, Good4U is a family business established by Bernie Butler and her daughters Laura, sales and marketing manager, and Michelle, a certified dietician and nutritionist, and son Karol, the company’s financial controller. The family have pioneered the development and marketing of a unique range of functional foods including fresh ready-to-eat sprouted seeds, wheatgrass products and roasted seed snacks and ingredients.

Supersprouts and Brocco Shoots are the company’s platform product, and these consist of an innovative mix of sprouted broccoli, alfalfa, clover and radish seeds which have been proven in research from the University of Ulster to have anti-cancer properties.

Good4U’s other manufacturing facility based in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone employs 18 people. This is where Good4U will produce a wide range of sprouted seeds for the retail and foodservice sectors. Capacity at this site is more suited to sprouted seed production and relocating the roasted seed operation to Sligo will increase capacity for sprouted seed production in the Tyrone plant by over 50%.

Good4U’s current customers include Tesco UK and Ireland, Supervalu, Centra, Marks & Spencer’s UK and Ireland, Sainsbury’s UK, and independent customers in the UAE and Russia.

In addition, the company is in advanced discussions with Spar and other major UK retailers. Export sales to countries where research indicates high demand for healthy snack alternatives such as Spain, Sweden, France and the USA are also actively being pursued. The company’s exciting New Product pipeline will be instrumental in winning new business and will account for other sales opportunities ensuring the growth of the company.

Commenting on the investment, Bernie Butler, managing director of Good4U, said: “Winning the support of the Western Development Commission, Enterprise Ireland and AIB has made our Sligo expansion possible. Underpinning our success is our ability to innovate and lead the market with products that meet and exceed consumer expectations. Today, more than ever, it is about building partnerships and aligning ourselves with people who believe and share our vision. A real measure of this has been the energy, courage, passion and commitment shown by all concerned in the negotiation process. The Good4U brand, combined with an excellent track record, loyal supportive customers and skilled staff will be instrumental in delivering our ambitious plans.  We are truly excited about this project and what the future holds.”