BEST IN INNOVATION: Sweet success for Moran’s Mega Jam
Between food festivals in Paris and distributing as far away as the US, Moran’s Mega Jam has grown its “quirky” jam, relish and chutney business from humble beginnings using determination and innovation.
Kieron Moran explained that the last time they were nominated for this very award was 10 years ago.
“Back then innovation to us was creating new products, it was all about the local people who were feeding into our business.
“What have we innovated since then?” he asked.
The Cavan based company has over 400 local growers feeding into the company, which helps the team expand the business.
“Like lots of people, lockdown hit us really hard,” he said, recalling how they lost 75% of their business overnight.
“Although lots of business didn’t survive, we actually managed to hang on in there,” said Kieron, describing how the business had to “innovate” to make the business survive.
“We took 12 weeks off, we thought about what works in the business, what doesn’t work in the business, looked at what other people did and, from there, we decided right, we’re going to make this business a success.
“We could have thrown the hat in like lots of other food producers but we said no, we’re going to make a go at this.”
To do this, Moran's Mega Jam expanded its product offering, going after two different markets.
“We went after Aldi and Lidl,” he said, revealing that Moran's recently won a contract with Aldi meaning it will be supplying them for the next year.
“We also said, what are we going to do? How are we actually really going to grow the business?”
“We said export was going to be where we needed to be,” Kieron informed, adding that Moran’s Mega Jam now exports to Finland, Italy, Australia, and launched three products across the United States in September.
“We have a distributor now out in the United States selling online and into Irish stores so Moran’s jam is now available all across America.
“For us that was probably one of the most important, innovative things we ever did.”
Despite recent global successes, Moran’s Mega Jam “still stay true” to its core- making their jam with a pot and wooden spoon. Each pot is filled by hand, the only difference now being that the team need to use a bigger pot and a bigger wooden spoon.
“That’s the only difference,” he assured.
Kieron and Claire began their business venture with just themselves and one part-time member of staff and have now grown to employ eight staff in Ireland with employees also in Finland, Italy, Australia and distributors in the States.
“That’s an integral part of what makes our business slightly different.”
CONTACT US
Moran’s Mega Jam is based at Unit E, Cavan Enterprise Centre, Dublin Road, Cavan [H12F9Y4].
Phone: 049-4367556
Tel: 085-7421847
Email: info@moransmegajam.ie