Business

Flower firm to grow sales outside Northern Ireland

BLOOMIN’ BRILLIANT: Shane Donnelly, right, Greenisland Flowers, with John Hood of Invest NI
BLOOMIN’ BRILLIANT: Shane Donnelly, right, Greenisland Flowers, with John Hood of Invest NI BLOOMIN’ BRILLIANT: Shane Donnelly, right, Greenisland Flowers, with John Hood of Invest NI

PORTADOWN horticulture firm Greenisland Flowers is investing more than £100,000 as part of plans to boost sales in Britain and the Republic,

The plans are being supported by Invest Northern Ireland which is offering £22,613 to the company.

Greenisland will take on two new production technicians and buy new processing equipment to aid the expansion.

The company provides cut flowers to retailers across Ireland and Britain.

Greenisland managing director Shane Donnelly said: “To drive progress we recognised the need to reduce seasonality, improve shelf-life and drive efficiencies in our processing activities. Our new bunching line has already improved the workflow within the cut flower processing facility and allows us to process a wider range of flowers at a greater capacity. With that capability in mind, we aim to develop sales of new products with higher margins, such as summer field-cut flowers, Winter Tulips and All year round Oriental Lillies, to boost our revenue and profits.

“In the coming months we will undertake research in countries such as The Netherlands, which is recognised as being expert in cut flower growing and processing, to identify new processing techniques and methods. We also plan to visit industry specific trade shows to learn of new techniques and methods particularly best practice with regard to lily and tulip production."

Invest NI’s director of food John Hood said the investment "is an important decision by the company which is focused on ramping up its throughput to meet increasing customer demand. Implementing its marketing strategy along with recruiting additional production technicians will play a vital role in helping the company achieve its objective to increase its export sales."