When Údarás na Gaeltachta gave RA Pacaisti Teo’s Operations Director, John McDermott, a temporary office in its’ own regional office in the heart of Donegal’s Gaeltacht back in 1997, to help him explore and deliver a new business opportunity, little did anyone know that this was a first step towards creating a multinational company that would innovate the food packaging industry globally. And that is certainly what it has done. John McDermott has been reflecting on the achievements and successes at RA Pacáistí Teo – RAP over the past 18 years. He comments “When you work in a highly competitive and rapidly growing market, you don’t get much time to reflect on where you started from. When I think back on the last 18 years I am so proud to say that RAP has succeeded in becoming the market leaders in food-to-go packaging worldwide”.
“We have been extremely fortunate to have a good quality and available labour force on our doorstep. Without a doubt, our people are our greatest asset. As the largest employer in the area, we are proud to have a loyal and focused workforce, that operates with a real ‘can-do’ attitude. Since 1998 we have witnessed a substantial increase in our employee numbers with three out of our original four staff members still employed at our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in the Gaoth Dobhair Business Park. To continue to generate wellbeing in our staff and deliver the consistently high standards that we are renowned for, we know that we must also do our bit – that means training and development for our staff is crucial ”.
“With year-on-year growth at over double the industry rate, our team have been instrumental in our success. We currently provide employment in the Donegal Gaeltacht area to 165 people on a 24 hour 5 day a week basis, however we are delighted to say that soon we will have a 24 hour 7 day shift in operation – such is the demand for our revolutonairy food packaging”.
“We’ve invested heavily over the years in research, development and innovation in an effort to create advanced processes that produce packaging solutions specific to our clients needs. Continued upskilling of our employees is central to that. Investing over €6,000,000 in our manufacturing facility in Gaoth Dobhair has also helped us compete on a global scale and has been the major factor in winning a host of high profile contracts with companies such as Pret A Manger, Asda, Morrisson’s, Co-Operative Food, Waitrose, Carrefour, Aldi, Starbucks, Sainsburys, British Airways, McDonalds, & KFC to name but a few.
“Designed with our customers in mind, RAP’s inventive and sustainable packaging solutions transform product performance, reduce packaging costs and extend shelf life. Our most recent success has included the production of the MA Carton Sandwich Wedge. With its revolutionary capabilities, the MA Carton Sandwich Wedge is the world’s first hermetically sealed carton food tray. The pack can be hermetically sealed during filling, which ensures moisture is sealed in and air is sealed out. This results in an extended shelf life of up to 28 days, depending on ingredients in the chill chain. Nothing beats it for extended shelf life and improved food freshness – it’s perhaps the greatest innovation in food packaging of recent years”.
“As a result of its revolutionary capabilities we are delighted to say that the MA Carton Sandwich Wedge is now being exported to companies all over the world. Every week almost 10 million units of food packaging boxes leave Gaoth Dobhair on the way to the USA, the Middle East, Australia and countries all across Europe. To know that over one million people a day purchase a product that we have produced packaging for is amazing”.
“However, being based in the Donegal Gaeltacht has to be the biggest highlight of all. I truly believe that the quality of life is better than anywhere else in the world. It’s a beautiful and friendly place to live, and the natural beauty that we are surrounded with every day of the week has to be the inspiration for not only our success, but also an inspiration to so many companies in West Donegal.
“Over the past 18 years we have received support at every step of the way from a dedicated team at Údarás na Gaeltachta and this has been invaluable to us. When an organisation like this embraces your vision and provides support all along the way, it makes your job a lot easier. There are endless opportunities for businesses here in Donegal and RAP has proven that it can compete successfully with the rest of the world on so many levels”.
“I am certainly looking forward to the next 18 years. Building on our past success will be a welcoming challenge. Now that we have the foundations in place we are exploring plans to expand our manufacturing abilities at the Gaoth Dobhair Business Park in the near future as we continue to grow RAP as the world leader in next generation packaging.” Concludes John.
Commentating on RAP’s success in Donegal Gaeltacht, CEO, Graham Williams and Founder, Julian Money said: “Our state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Donegal Gaeltacht remain at the heart of our operations. They not only have the capacity to meet the high demand of our products, but also the trial of new and pioneering packaging solutions. As such, John and his team play a critical role in helping RAP develop next generation packaging that is continuing to deliver a significant transformation for some of the world’s most well known retailers, coffee shops and food-to-go outlets.”
RAP’s simple, clever packaging solutions continue to be held in the highest esteem. In 2015 the company picked up a host of high profile awards including: New Sandwich Product of the Year at The Sammies, a Gold Excellence Award at Pro2Pac and Best Unique Packaging Solution in the Café Quality Food and Drink Awards.
Photo Caption : John McDermott, Operations Director, RA Pacaisti Teo’s – RAP Packaging
Photo : Paul Doherty Photography