Crossgar food sauce firm in deal with Aldi

Crossgar food sauce firm in deal with Aldi

27 March 2019

PREP House Sauces in Crossgar has won its first business with discount retailer Aldi in the Republic of Ireland.

Prep House is a family business which has won a string of national awards for its original sauces and dressings.

It’s now supplying its pepper sauce to Aldi for its network of 137 stores across the Republic. 

Managing director Paul Bell, who took over the management reins of the company in 2015, described the new deal as “a marvellous boost”.

“This very important business for us resulted when we swiftly followed up a lead from Invest NI’s Drew McIvor,” he added.

“Our approach was well received by the Aldi buyer who was extremely interested and very supportive. We were subsequently invited to pitch several products including the pepper sauce that is now on Aldi’s shelves. Working with Aldi is a tremendous experience.

“As a result of the outstanding taste of the product and the convenient two-serve sachet, we’ve been invited to create additional sauces for the chain.”

The Aldi listing is Prep House’s biggest deal to date in the Republic and its most significant retail business. 

The company has successful business especially with chefs, restaurants and hotels in Northern Ireland.

Prep House has experienced exceptional growth to 23 people, including 18 in the modern factory, from the three employed when the business began. 

Sales have more than tripled since then. In addition, the company has invested almost £1m in creating a state-of-the-art factory and new product kitchen close to the centre of the village.

Awards for taste and quality have also followed from the UK Quality Food and Drink, Great Taste Awards and the Blas na hEireann Irish National Awards.