Freshways agrees three-year supply deal with Tesco Ireland

Freshways has secured a €45m (£37.7m) deal to supply Tesco Ireland with sandwiches, wraps, salads and pasta dishes for meal deals.

The supplier, which is part of the Samworth Brothers business, has worked with Tesco Ireland for more than 20 years, helping to shape and evolve the retailer’s fresh convenience range through product development.

The new three-year deal, worth €15m annually, follows a recently completed €8m investment in Freshways’ Finglas production facility to increase production capacity, enhance storage facilities, and upgrade refrigeration infrastructure and systems.

“This deal with Tesco provides a strong platform for future growth and reflects the hard work and dedication of our team,” said Freshways managing director Sean Cleary.

“We have invested significantly in our Finglas facility to support increased capacity and innovation, and we look forward to continuing to develop exciting new products for Tesco customers while delivering the highest standards of quality and freshness.”

Tesco Ireland, which has 194 stores in the Repulic of Ireland and 74 more across Northern Ireland, sells around 70,000 meal deals a week, with Freshways supplying more than 40 product lines including a range of Crust & Co sandwiches, wraps, salad and pasta dishes. Among customer favourites are the Chicken & Bacon Caesar Wrap and Chicken & Signature Stuffing Sandwich.

“We are delighted to extend our partnership with Freshways for a further three years,” said Tesco Ireland fresh category director John Brennan. “Freshways has been a trusted and valued supplier to Tesco Ireland for many years, consistently delivering high-quality products that our customers love.

“Their commitment to innovation, quality, and service has helped us build the strongest meal deal offerings in the market.”

Samworth Brothers acquired a 60% stake in Freshways in February 2022. The manufacturer, which has its headquarters in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, also produces brands including Ginsters, Higgidy, Soreen, Dickinson & Morris, and West Cornwall Pasty Co.