TWO of the the north's biggest vaping companies have merged their operations in a move that will see more than 60 new jobs created.
Derry-based manufacturer Superior E-Liquid Ltd and retail chain The Ciggie Shop Ltd have joined forces to become the major force in the electronic cigarette industry.
The new relationship will see Superior manufacture a wide range of juices for The Ciggie Shop, which is Northern Ireland’s largest e-cigarette retailer with 16 stores.
As part of the joint venture, 12 retail outlets owned by Superior will be rebranded and incorporated into The Ciggie Shop stable to create a 28-strong chain, with plans to open a further 30 stores in in the north by early 2018 and the potential to expand into the rest of the UK and Ireland.
Superior E-Liquid founder and managing director Stephen Ryan Jnr believes that combining resources will have major rewards for both organisations.
“As the fastest growing e-juice manufacturer in Europe, we currently distribute over 100,000 bottles of our award-winning juice on a weekly basis and by teaming up with the biggest retail chain on the island of Ireland, our volumes are going to increase significantly which will see new jobs created at our factory and substantial investment in technology and machinery.”
Managing director of The Ciggie Shop Angeline Richardson added:
"The Ciggie Shop will now have a strong presence in the north west of the province and ultimately, our goal is to have a store in every town in Northern Ireland – as well as growing our business in other parts of the UK and in the Republic of Ireland."
Superior E-Liquid was formed in February 2016 and now, little over a year later, is one of Europe’s fastest growing vaping companies, exporting its products to 15 countries worldwide from its factory on the Buncrana Road.
