FDBusiness.com

Coonlocken is an Irish, family owned business that have been supplying drinking straws and disposable cutlery for more than 30 years. Their head office is based in Kinsale, Co. Cork and from there they have developed a production network across China, Indonesia, South Korea and Europe.
They have developed an innovative wrapping format that allows their products to be applied onto packaging or dispensed into pots by automated applicators at high speeds. They also have the largest range of these bandolier wrapped products globally.
We spoke to Sales Director Harvey Tucker about innovation in the industry and future plans for expansion as he returns from exhibiting at Anuga Foodtec in Cologne.
“We were the first company to design and produce the folding spoon, followed by a folding fork in the early 1990s. Nowadays our in-house design team is constantly designing new bespoke products for client’s individual needs. Last year we created a new kiwi spoon for Tesco and an egg spoon for Yowk, who subsequently won Best Convenience Food Innovation at the IFE Awards.”
“We have been privileged to work with some of the largest food companies in the world. We’ve really noticed a change in lifestyle and society which has brought around a change in convenience food. We’re seeing an increase in products that now have folding spoons or other disposable cutlery items included for on-the-go consumption.”
This year Coonlocken launched two exclusive designs; the new 112 spoon and fork and the 118 spoon and fork.
“Our new 112 Folding Spoon and Folding Fork  are extremely tactile; exceptionally strong even for stirring/twisting movement, good ergonomic and have a nice sized bowl head. Our new 118 Folding Spoon and Folding Fork are both unique insofar as the folded length (54mm) is one of the shortest while the opened length is 118mm and are ideal for slim packaging formats. The 118 Folding Spoon and Fork are highly unique and patent pending.”
These innovative Coonlocken products are designed to be applied onto or into a wide range of pots, be they yogurt; dessert; baby-food; salads, snacks or cereal.
“With regard to growth we currently supply Europe and South America, we are keen to develop sales in the Middle East and North America. We are also looking for Sales Agents in these areas.”