Dole Ireland is pleased to confirm the acquisition of Vernon Catering Ltd, a marketer and distributor of fresh fruits, vegetables and dry goods to foodservice outlets across Dublin for over 40 years. A hugely respected operator in the sector, Vernon is synonymous with bespoke customer service and is a recognised leader in value added goods. Vernon Catering’s operations will be integrated into Dole’s dedicated foodservice hub located in Balbriggan, Co. Dublin with immediate effect. Ronan Sullivan, Managing Director of Vernon is assuming the new position of Commercial Director in Dole Foodservice.
The coming together of Dole Foodservice and Vernon Catering represents an important moment in the evolution of both businesses. Both Dole and Vernon Catering share a passion for produce and a ‘can-do’, customer-centric culture dedicated to delivering best-in-class customer service.
In combining Dole’s unrivalled national distribution network, global and local sourcing reach and in-house supply chain expertise with Vernon’s strengths in forging enduring customer relationships and the breadth and variety of their portfolio of products, a new business is being created, one uniquely positioned to meet the needs of the modern foodservice operator.
John Cunningham, Managing Director, Dole Foodservice says of the merging of the businesses: ‘Dole is pleased to welcome Ronan and his talented team into our family. Vernon Catering is known and trusted by foodservice operators across Dublin. We very much look forward to integrating our businesses and Vernon’s distinctive and extensive value added range in to our own.
Ronan Sullivan of Vernon Catering adds: ‘Dole is an extraordinary Irish success story and we are delighted to be joining forces as we take the next step forward as a business. I can assure our customers that they will stay at the heart of all that we do and we look forward to sharing with them the opportunities arising.’
About Dole Ireland
Irish at heart, global by nature, Dole Ireland operates 13 facilities across the island of Ireland – supported by a wide network of the most accomplished local growers. Our industry leading vertically integrated supply chain extends across the globe. Growing, sourcing, importing, packaging, marketing and distributing over 300 lines of fresh produce, Dole Ireland’s range of local and global produce extends from the more familiar to the truly exotic and includes extensive organic and value added fresh cut ranges. Serving the retail, wholesale and foodservice sectors, Dole Ireland is a complete fresh produce solution provider – offering a comprehensive menu of services to our customers ranging from simple service provision to complete Category Management, our mission always, to reduce ever further the gap between the grower and the consumer. Dole Ireland is part of Dole plc. With roots dating back to 1850’s Ireland, Dole plc is headquartered in Smithfield, Dublin and is today the world’s #1 fresh produce provider.
www.doleireland.com