Business Profile: Kennedy Bacon

Name: Mervyn Kennedy
Business Name: Kennedy Bacon
L: 30 Glenhordial Road, Omagh
T: (028) 82242658 / 07818605689

Business Profile: Kennedy Bacon

Can you describe your business?

Kennedy Bacon is an artisan company in Glenhordial, Omagh. We have been farming in the hills above Omagh since the 1940s. Our company is a small family run business producing high quality dry cured bacon, gammons and other bacon related products. We also produce premium butchers pork sausages.

Why did you start your own business?

Being involved in the feeding of pigs for the pork industry I was always inundated with people asking me why the quality of bacon had deteriorated and wishing that bacon would look and taste like bygone days. I set about to cure by hand and add no water, to produce a traditional bacon. We now produce a tasty bacon that keeps its size and shape and leaves no residue on the pan. All our products are free from phosphates.

What are the best things about running your own business?

I can prioritise my time and be selective about what I want to achieve and produce. With working and managing the pig farm, I can divide my time to ensure both aspects of the business are adequately attended to. Because we work at markets all over Northern  Ireland we are constantly getting customer feedback and can tailor our produce to suit customer requirements.

What are the main challenges facing the business? 

Many challenges , rising prices of supplies and generally increased overheads and the lack of support for small businesses involved in the food industry. Added to this is a plethora of unhelpful bureaucracy as well as the uncertainty of Brexit and how this will develop.

Can you describe your experience of running a business in three words or less?

Challenging, frustrating, fullfilling.