When did you move from farming to selling direct to supermarkets?

In the mid-1960s, I approached the very first supermarket in Belfast, Anderson McAuley, about stocking clean, pre-packed products. We recognised the need for cleaned, packed, labelled, locally sourced vegetables and that was the beginning of Willowbrook Foods. We are now Ireland’s biggest processor of bagged salads.

Do you source produce from other growers to meet demand?

As our business and product range has developed, we have widened our network of growers. What we once grew in a year wouldn’t last three days in our business now. We buy more than ever from Irish and UK growers. However, 50% of our business is through bagged lettuce, all of which must be sourced from Murcia in Spain during winter.

What were the biggest challenges for the business over the years?

Weather changes are without doubt the biggest challenge we have faced. In the mid-1970s, severe drought hit Ireland over the summer months and caused crops to fail by 80%. I then realised I had to get an irrigation system on the farm. It was a huge investment but for 10 years I irrigated every summer. The weather then changed and summers began to get wetter and winters colder. At times, crops have almost been wiped out by frost. This year, the unprecedented weather in Spain had a huge impact on the whole industry.

How competitive is it in the fresh produce sector?

The fresh produce sector is very competitive, particularly in Ireland. Prices have undeniably dropped as consumers seek out value. However, we believe that if you maintain a high-quality product, you are entitled to maintain your price. By remaining committed to quality and broadening our product range to reflect consumer trends, we have retained our competitive edge.

What are the major consumer trends you have seen in recent years?

As well as the ever-growing need for convenience, consumers are more health conscious and savvy about the origin and traceability of their food. Consumers also seek out quality and expect great taste. Another key trend is the rise of snacking and grazing – again this is a reflection of busy, modern living and a better understanding of nutrition.

How big an impact would a ban on glyphosate have?

I have witnessed so many changes in the area of pesticides over the years and the industry really just has to adapt accordingly. If glyphosate is totally banned for usage it will of course have implications for growers, particularly in wet countries such as Ireland where weeds are more prevalent. It is a situation the industry needs to monitor closely and plan for.

Title: Managing director.

Company: Willowbrook Foods.

Location: Newtownards, Co Down.

Turnover: £28m (2017 financial year).

Employees: 320.