The Real Thing!

An Exclusive Irish Examiner Interview With Tommy Moloney's Bill Colbert

By Marcus Murphy

"Tommy Moloney's was founded in 2005. As a consumer myself, there was no place in the U.S. that was providing the high-quality Irish products for the consumers here in the U.S.," Bill Colbert told the Irish Examiner in an exclusive interview.
"So what we did was we decided to open up a USDA manufacturing facility here in New York whereby we would import the products from Ireland, process them in our USDA plant so they would become a product of the USA and thereby we would be able to sell Irish meat in the U.S. market."

What makes Irish meat the best in the world?
"Well, up until the pork recall, Ireland was famous for its lush pastureland and its high-quality. There's an old saying: 'You are what you eat.' Irish beef and pork are renowned for their high quality. For various reasons, Irish pork is less fatty and has better consistency than other pig meat."

What products do you carry?
"We carry a full line of Irish products. We do all-natural gourmet sausages. We do corned beef and ham. We sell to retail establishments and supermarkets, and we also sell throughout the country and internationally to major hotel chains and bar/restaurant chains."

What has been the response to your provisions?
"The response has been absolutely phenomenal. We just keep on growing and growing.
"People are finally realizing what true Irish products are, especially Irish Americans who've gone on vacation, tasted the product over in Ireland and have come back and, now, the same product they had over there, they can get here. And, conversely, the immigrants can have it.
"Before, they had no choice. They had to eat products with a shamrock slapped on it or that said 'Irish style,' but it wasn't the real thing.
"Since we've come on the market the last 4 years, we can give them a real taste of home."

How do your prices compare to other purveyors?
"We're actually cheaper because we are the largest manufacturer. Over the last 3 to 4 years, we've probably gained 70 to 80 percent market share. So, through volume, we're able to offer a cheaper product."

What's the key to your success?
"We are the only company who does this. We've gone to the expense of building a factory. The factory we built here has cost us close to $4 million.
"We're Irish owned and Irish operated, and we are putting out the real product. Some companies put 'Irish style' on their products and then when there's a problem like the pork recall, they all run for the hills and say, 'We just do local products and we're not affected by this.' Then, you know what? Take the word 'Irish' out of your product."

Why is Moloney's the last word in Irish provisions?
"We have worked with the Irish government hand-in-hand during this mini-crisis and we will continue to be strong supporters of Irish agriculture and Irish products.
"We continue to offer them in America to consumers. I would like to emphasize the fact that we are the only company who brings the true, authentic, taste-of-home product."