Danucci, the award winning Irish gourmet chocolate brand will be re-launched this summer following its acquisition by Australian private investment company, Helsinki Capital Corporation Pty Ltd.  

 

The new operating entity, Ferdia Fine Foods, will be based in Ardee, Co. Louth and will benefit from significant investment in a new state of the art production facility, a significant research and development programme, two new brands and a completely revamped product range.  The re-launch of the luxury Danucci brand is the first of a series of high potential product launches already in the pipeline.

 

“We are very excited by this opportunity and believe that the potential for all our brands is outstanding. We believe that we have the right team, resources and enthusiasm and most importantly the right product to become a major player in the gourmet chocolate market both in Ireland and overseas”, said Helsinki Capital Corporation Director Noel Kerr, who was born and raised in Co. Louth.

 

The Danucci brand of chocolates had achieved considerable success and acclaim and was stocked in specialty stores including Harrods in London along with leading specialty stores throughout Ireland.  Danucci Limited, the previous owner of the Danucci brand, went into liquidation last September following an unsuccessful period of examinership that was brought about by losses resulting from the collapse of its UK distributor and other factors.

 

The new owners have retained the original company founders Mark and Michelle Lowth, who will remain with the business they started in 2005.  During the due diligence process, Helsinki were very impressed with the dedication and skills of Mark & Michelle. Michelle is a highly talented Chocolatier who trained in the art of making luxury chocolates in Belgium, the UK and France.  Mark will continue as General Manager, looking after the day-to-day operations of the business.

 

Helsinki Capital Corporation (HCC) is based in Brisbane, Australia and is owned by directors Noel Kerr, Michael Dart and Joe Strong.  HCC is an active, hands-on owner/investment business that acquires or invests in small to medium sized enterprises that have a strong underlying business model, a reputable and identifiable brand with strong domestic and international growth prospects and key management who are proactive, entrepreneurial and hungry to succeed.

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For further press information contact Breda Keena on 087 6483134 or Breda.Keena@menyma.ie

 

 

 

Increased Fund for Biodiversity Projects to Halt Decline in Wildlife

  The Heritage Council is seeking applications from community groups, individuals, NGOs, state bodies and businesses throughout the country for funding for biodiversity projects.  €700,000 is available for projects to be completed this year.  In a recent Eurobarometer Study carried out in all member states 77% of people living in Ireland agreed that biodiversity loss was a serious problem.  However lack of knowledge about what to do about it is a problem with just 21% of people living in Ireland claiming to understand what biodiversity means compared to 70% in Germany, 74% in Austria and 28% in the UK.  45% of people in Ireland said they did not know how biodiversity loss would affect the country with just 0.1% saying it would be a loss to tourism opportunity and 0% agreeing that it would not lead to problems in their garden.   Ecosystems worldwide are in decline. The biodiversity they harbour provides the ecosystem goods and services – food, fuel, fibre, quality air and water, soil fertility and nutrients – which are at the heart of our modern economic prosperity. When ecosystems reach the point of no return, the damage is permanent. In Ireland and the EU, this decline translates into collapsing fish stocks, impoverishment of soil, flood damage, and disappearing wildlife.   Disappearing Wildlife such as bees, ladybirds and other insects will affect all of us and this will be evident in our gardens where wildlife help pollinate plants, keep greenfly under control and do many other essential tasks that are vital for the ecosystem around our homes.  Ireland’s environment and scenic landscapes are  key reasons why tourists come here and our biodiversity is a vital element of this as the loss of one species has a knock-on effect on the rest of our environment. Loss of habitat wetlands, sand dunes, native woodland, as well as habitat fragmentation due to development for roads, housing, agricultural purposes and recreational purposes are some of the key threats to biodiversity in Ireland.  Other key threats include invasive non-native species as well as climate change.  Ireland, along with other EU countries have committed to halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010. The Biodiversity Fund is part of the Government’s efforts to achieve this target.  Groups or individuals can apply for funds for projects that will protect, manage and enhance biodiversity in their area.  Priority is given to sites that contain habitats of special conservation importance or that support threatened or vulnerable species. Over 60 projects have already benefited from the Biodiversity Fund since it was established in 2006.  The Biodiversity Fund was set up to establish projects that would demonstrate how biodiversity could be protected and managed by local people.  Examples of projects that have already received funding include; clearing invasive species such as rhododendron from native woodlands; recreating spawning areas for salmon in rivers; the conservation of different native agricultural breeds of cattle such as Irish Moiled Cattle; the reintroduction of the Red Kite in Wicklow; creating ponds and wetland habitats; and protecting vulnerable sand dune areas by fencing them off and replanting marram grass to protect the coastline.  “I am pleased to announce the continuation and a 40% increase of the Biodiversity Fund for 2008, “said John Gormley TD, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.  “The Fund has supported some excellent projects over the past two years that have already shown positive impacts on biodiversity. I am hoping to see some more innovative projects this year that will help us to reduce the loss of Irish biodiversity.”  At the launch of the fund Michael Starrett, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council said,  “nature is working for us all the time, providing us with clean air, water to drink, food to eat, and medicines to heal our bodies. The Biodiversity Fund gives us the opportunity to do some critical work for nature and for the important habitats on which we all depend. The Heritage Council urges interested parties to submit applications by February 15″. Application forms are available from the Heritage Council in Kilkenny by calling 056-7770777 or by email from aryan@heritagecouncil.com or online from www.heritagecouncil.ie.  The closing date for completed applications is 15^th February 2008. 

 

Ends For further information contact:  Breda Keena on 087 6483134. Note to editors: Biodiversity (short for “biological diversity”) is the variety of life on earth and includes the whole of the natural world. It includes wild species as well as those that are used in agriculture. It also includes where species actually live (habitats), for example, sand dunes, bogs and woodlands.. Some examples of previously funded projects (all listed at www.heritagecouncil.ie): Over 60 projects have benefited from the Fund since its establishment in 2006·       clearing invasive species such as rhododendron from native woodlands (Glengarriff, Co Cork)·       clearing invasive Gunnera (Giant rhubarb) from Achill island·       fencing off vulnerable dune areas to protect them from degradation  (eg grazing cattle, walkers) and replanting of the marram grass - the dunes in turn protect our coastline (eg Roundstone, Galway)·       clearing scrub from areas of bog and blocking drains to help bring the bog back to life; also fencing off areas of bog to protect from large vehicles (eg Lullymore Bog, Kildare) - helps enhance conservation of marsh fritillary as well as the general bog habitat·       recreating spawning areas for salmon in rivers (Slaney River Trust)·       creating ponds and wetland habitats (Co Wicklow)·       recreating habitat for corncrakes (West Connacht islands)·       reintroduction of the red kite in Co Wicklow·       modifying fish weirs so fish can travel through them·       ensuring different native agricultural breeds are retained eg Irish moiled cattle Key dates-        applications available from Jan 17th from Heritage Council telephone 056 7770777, www.heritagecouncil.ie).-        Closing date Friday February 15th-        Offers made mid-April-        Works to be completed November 28 2008.  

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