Danucci Gourmet Chocolate Company

Danucci was incorporated in April 2005 by husband and wife team Mark and Michelle Lowth. Having conducted extensive market research the promoters established that a market opportunity existed at the upper end of the chocolate market in Ireland, and that a quality product made here in Ireland would also have export potential in the medium term, once the product was established in the home market. The company makes a range of over 40 different hand-made chocolates and sells them through four distinct channels, i.e. wholesale, e-business, corporate gifts, and foodservice.

The company began selling its products in November 2005 and initially created 5 new full time positions, including two held by the promoters, along with one additional part-time employee. It is anticipated that additional staff will be required throughout 2006 and 2007, and as more retail accounts are opened and the market opportunity is addressed on a larger scale, numbers should rise to at least 9 full-time by the end of 2007.

The set-up phase of the project was significant both in terms of time and cost, taking just over eight months to complete. The various activities involved in the set-up phase including fitting out the business premises, sourcing and commissioning equipment, establishing the companies web-site, getting packaging designed and manufactured, along with a whole host of other activities that were needed before production could begin. The company achieved Health Board registration as a certified food premises in November 2005.

Louth Leader played a pivotal role in helping this project get mobilised. As Mark Lowth commented “With the assistance from Leader we were able to move a lot faster than we would have otherwise been able to do ourselves, using just our own resources. We applied for a grant of €65,000, and that played a significant part in enabling this project, and in no small way helped us to create a solid foundation on which to build this business for the long-run.”  He went on to say “I hope others will see the benefit of applying for and obtaining grant assistance, our sustained local economic development is heavily dependant on a cohort of new promoters making projects a reality in the county, and with the assistance of grant aid, it is made that little bit easier. Perhaps there are potential promoters out there who can take some small inspiration from what we have done, just as we took inspiration from many who set up before us.”

Mark Lowth can be contacted at 042-9356727
Danucci chocolates can be ordered on-line at www.danucci.com