Managing director Mark O’Sullivan, said following a year's development and a 6 month trial period the brand and a new company was launched in December 2012. O’Sullivan and his partner Peter North were contacted by Ecuadorian banana grower, Ceintonsa SA around 2 years ago and the partnership grew from there which led to the formation of BanaBay. BanaBay is 50% UK and 50% Ecuadorian owned and this has led to the ongoing dedication to quality with the brand.
"The banana market is a very mature market with steady volumes, but people are excited about a new brand, we back this up with consistent quality and service. We have built a solid base with good core customers and this has allowed us to plan our growth strategy quicker than initially expected. We pride ourselves on the care and attention we put into the end product which our customers receive and this ensures retention and ongoing demand," explains O’Sullivan.
At the moment BanaBay imports bananas to the UK, Europe and Egypt and are looking at widening the market with a trial in Ireland. They are also in talks with other countries/importers.
O’Sullivan says the advantage that BanaBay has over some bigger operators is the control which they have over each stage of the process, from the plantation to the final customer. The company, being relatively small, also has lower overheads currently.
The main customers of BanaBay at the moment are within the wholesale markets, but with a strategy to offer.
As for the future, the company have applied for Fairtrade certification and hope to be moving into selling conventional, fairtrade, organic fairtrade at the end of the year as well as moving into the sale of plantain.
For more information:
Mark O'SullivanLogistic Partners Limited & BanaBay Limited
Tel : 0044 845 0030750
Mobile: 0044 7799 347087
Email: mark.osullivan@logistic-partners.com
www.banabay.co.uk