The Sibly Food Co. signs 12-month deal worth €1m with to supply its healthy, hunger-busting energy balls 161 ALDI stores nationwide.
Three new jobs are to be generated at Ballydesmond-based business The Sibly Food Co. after it landed the deal to supply ALDI stores across Ireland.
Entrepreneur Matthew Collins started his relationship with ALDI back in 2022 when he took a leap of faith and applied for the for Grow with ALDI programme. He was selected as one of five winners for the supplier development programme and got hands-on mentorship as he scaled his production to have his products stocked in ALDI stores nationwide.
“Backing Irish businesses and helping them scale thought our network of stores is a huge part of what we do here in Ireland”
Since then, The Sibly Food Co. has supplied ALDI with its fan favourite range of handmade energy balls in delicious flavours and won a silver medal at the Blas na hÉireann Awards.
This new deal will see The Sibly Food Co. continue to supply ALDI with its popular Cacao & Nut Butter Energy Balls €3.99 (4 Pack) and Classic Nut Butter Energy Balls €3.99 (4 Pack) as well as a host of Specialbuy products in limited edition flavours.
Backing Irish businesses
“Backing Irish businesses and helping them scale thought our network of stores is a huge part of what we do here in Ireland,” said Rachael O’Connor, Buying Director at ALDI Ireland.
“This deal illustrates ALDI’s commitment to supporting local producers at every stage and offering our customers access to Irish artisan food at amazing value prices. We invite other small Irish businesses to follow in Matthew’s path and apply to our Grow with ALDI 2024 programme.”
ALDI continually forges relationships with new Irish producers and suppliers and offer its customers the very best of what Ireland has to offer. It is currently calling on small Irish businesses to enter Grow with ALDI 2024 to be in with a chance of securing hands-on mentorship from industry experts as well as the chance to have your product launched in ALDI stores nationwide. For more information on how to enter click here. Entries close on January 30th.
Treats that do the trick
Collins started making his own homemade energy balls and bringing them to college lectures.
Classmates encouraged him to sell his energy balls and at the age of just 21, he set up a stall at the Christmas Market in Kanturk, Co. Cork. The energy balls went down a treat with customers and the rest is history.
The company currently employees seven people in the region and has ambitions to hire three additional members of staff as a result of ALDI’s investment. The new contract will also enable The Sibly Food Co. to invest in upgraded machinery, increased storage and a new packing and distribution facility.
“We are delighted to sign this new contract and continue our partnership with ALDI,” said Collins.
“They have offered me such valuable support and mentorship since I entered Grow with ALDI in 2022 and have been instrumental in helping The Sibly Food Co. grow and expand in a sustainable way. This kind of support is invaluable to a small Irish business, and I’ll be forever grateful for the platform they’ve provided for me. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with ALDI and bringing great value, healthy snacks to stores across Ireland.
“At present we have seven employees, and we hope to hire three new staff as a result of ALDI’s investment which is huge for us. The closing date for Grow with ALDI 2024 is fast approaching and my best advice to other small businesses to back yourself and enter this year’s competition. The Sibly Food Co. is proof of what a brilliant showcase it is for new and emerging businesses, and I cannot recommend it enough!”
