The Big Cheese in the Dairy Industry – Inside Sustainability magazine

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Historical information notice: This article was originally published in May 2024. Certification, assessment and environmental target information reflects the position at the time of publication. For current information, please contact Ingredient Solutions.

Ingredient Solutions Ltd was established in 2000 to provide innovative cheese ingredients to the food industry. It is now a premier cheese supplier to large food manufacturers of ready meals, snack foods and foodservice companies in Ireland, the UK and across Europe. Hannah Barnett spoke to Sales Director Gary Davies, Technical Manager Suma Lakshmana and Logistics Supervisor Karina Souza to learn more.

One of the secrets to Ingredient Solutions success may be that it never stands still.

“We launch around five new product codes a month,” said Gary Davies, Sales Director. “These could be a new blend, pack, label, language, or something bespoke to deliver on a specific brief: melt, colour, flavour, nutritional requirement, format or price. “We also send out over 100 samples a month to new and existing customers across the globe. We try to utilise current products in the range, but are flexible in terms of making something exactly as the customer requires it.”

Always evolving

The Irish company is a BRCGS-accredited, one-stop-shop for food producers looking for a quality cheese supplier. Since starting small, with just four employees working from one room at the turn of the millennium, Ingredient Solutions now exports cheese to over 30 countries and works with more than 200 customers. The company has spent the last two and a half decades signing up several prestigious customers, including one that generated €8 million in turnover last year alone. Ingredient Solutions now has 85 employees, a turnover above €70 million and a production capacity of 14,000 tonnes.

In May 2022, Ingredient Solutions was acquired by Rupp, the largest family-owned company in the Austrian dairy industry which was founded in 1908. Rupp produces processed and natural specialty cheeses under the Rupp and Alma brands at four locations in Europe and Asia.

The following year was a successful one for Ingredients Solutions as it won 40 new customers. Alongside the acquisition, this accomplishment is also part in thanks to the efficiency and knowledge of the sales and new product development (NPD) team, working to streamline the NPD process, according to Mr Davies. “Working as partners with our customers is key,” he said. “This means we offer a quick rate of response, as well as providing samples and interactive feed-back, and establish a clear objective at the start of the process.”

At the time of publication in May 2024, Ingredient Solutions was developing a cross-functional approach to artificial intelligence and internal training. The company was exploring how new technology could support operational efficiency, employee development and customer service.

Sustainability Information Reported in 2024

This section summarises information reported when this article was published in May 2024. At that time, Ingredient Solutions referred to an EcoVadis assessment result and participation in an Origin Green plan covering the 2023–2027 period.

The EcoVadis ranking related to the assessment methodology and evidence applicable at that time. It should not be interpreted as the company’s current EcoVadis rating or as an environmental claim about every Ingredient Solutions product.

The Origin Green plan included targets relating to certified raw-material purchasing, emissions, waste management and employee wellbeing. These were future targets rather than confirmation that the stated results had already been achieved.

Targets reported in the 2024 article included increasing the proportion of certified raw-material purchases, reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, reducing the intensity of Scope 3 emissions and reducing overall waste by 2027. Current progress against these targets should be confirmed using the company’s latest approved Origin Green reports and supporting documentation.

Current information about Ingredient Solutions’ certifications, memberships and environmental targets is available by contacting the company.

Partnerships and people

Like any successful business, strong working relationships throughout the supply chain are vital. Indeed, many of Ingredient Solutions raw material and packaging suppliers have been with the company since its humble beginnings, so it is no surprise that these relationships are both flexible and trustworthy. The company is also keen to maintain environmental principles in these partnerships, as using high-quality and sustainable suppliers can have significant benefits for the business. These benefits range from cost savings and improved reputation to long-term environmental and social impacts.

“We have approximately 20 top suppliers that all have sustainability targets and goals to reduce the impact of factors affecting the environment,” Mr Davies explained. “Ingredient Solutions follows a strict code of conduct that has also been sent to all suppliers to ensure we are all working to the same standard.”

Ingredient Solutions is a dynamic and exciting business to be part of, made all the more so by investment from the larger global group. The company intends to open a new state-of-the-art factory in 2025, thereby gaining a greater scope than ever.

“Every day is different and there is a whole new horizon out there now we are part of Rupp,” Mr Davies reflected.

“I thrive on empowering the team to deliver; steering the culture of the business, and ensuring we are aligned in our mission.”

For Ms Lakshmana, the opportunities for personal growth are what drives her most of all: “One of my passions is self-improvement and helping others grow, both personally and professionally. I knew best practices from my previous experience, so when I came in, I aligned with all the key members of the company and drew a formal road map. Transforming this into a reality is a large under- taking and I feel a deep sense of satisfaction knowing that I have made a difference.”

“The company is always growing,” Ms Souza concluded, “which can be challenging. Daily challenges require quick responses and actions, and this makes me increasingly exceed my potential to deal with problems, thereby becoming a better professional every day.”