A former lorry driver has set up a food processing business in County Laois.
For four years John Moran worked as a haulier and drove the roads of Europe. So tired was he of bringing truck loads of frozen food into Ireland that he set up his own food processing factory outside Carlow town.
I thought...surely we can do this ourselves.
John Moran is joined in the venture by agricultural adviser Michael Tennyson. Last month their factory commenced production of frozen potato chips, aided by an IDA (Industrial Development Authority) grant at Killeen, Maganey County Laois. Why should Morten Foods succeed, when the nearby Erin Foods vegetable food processing company failed?
Consumers want frozen food, which is quicker to prepare than the Erin products which had to be soaked overnight in water, explains Michael Tennyson.
Morten Foods have sourced locally grown potatoes, and when they are not in season, carrots and peas will be processed. At the moment fifteen people are employed in the plant, but Morten Foods hopes that that this number will double as the brand grows. Research indicates that there is a demand for frozen food.
It's cheaper, and it's what the customer wants.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 6 May 1982. The reporter is Michael Ryan.
