( CNN ) -- Booms , busts and bubbles are all jargon you might associate with today 's troubled Irish economy . But now you can add `` beans '' to that list . The Jelly Bean Factory -- a father-and-son start-up -- is defying a difficult Irish economic climate with a turnover of 11 million euros ( $ 14.6 million ) a year . The sweet maker is refining the art of gourmet confectionery , teaming up with corporate giants including GlaxoSmithKline to produce specially designed jelly beans . Richard Cullen , managing director of The Jelly Bean Factory , told CNN : `` We make their energy sports beans under the brand Lucozade , we also partner with a Finnish company called Panda and we sell that into the Finnish market and also into the U.S . market . '' The business , founded in 1998 by father Peter Cullen and son Richard , produces 12 million jelly beans a day and exports the sugary treats to more than 55 countries worldwide . The company expects growth to double over the next two years . Before the financial crisis of 2008 , Ireland 's economy was known as the `` Celtic Tiger '' due to its rapid economic expansion and property boom . Cullen said : `` Setting up manufacturing in Ireland at the height of the Celtic Tiger was a challenge in itself - just trying to find a property that we could afford was difficult , but then finding a workforce in those early stages was very difficult as well . '' The Celtic Tiger stumbled after Ireland 's banking crisis and the collapse of its construction sector . A member of the 17-nation single currency , Ireland is now undergoing a harsh austerity program and grappling with high unemployment . And as one of the three member states to receive financial aid from the eurozone 's rescue funds , Ireland is also is also trying to repay a 67 billion euro ( $ 89 billion ) bailout to creditors . But despite the country 's economic woes and the problems plaguing the eurozone , Cullen believes Ireland 's place in the 27-nation European Union is `` definitely '' helping the business . Food regulation within the EU is tight but the Jelly Bean Factory is meticulous in its production . It takes two weeks to craft each of the individual 36 flavours , from Cranberry and apple to Belgian chocolate . Cullen told CNN : `` We transformed our business ; we only use natural colours and natural flavours , so we do n't have to put any health warnings on our products . '' CNN 's Oliver Joy contributed to this report .
The Jelly Bean Factory has a turnover of $ 14.6 million ( 11 million euros ) a year . The sweet maker expects the company to double its growth over the next two years . Managing Director Cullen believes U.S 's The Jelly Bean Factory status is helping the company .