A CO Armagh food manufacturer has announced a multi-million pound expansion, which has helped create 50 jobs.
Family-run firm Davison Canners has renovated its on site production facilities in Portadown, invested in equipment and added additional products as part of the major investment, supported by the £3.1 million financial package from HSBC.
The completed expansion has brought all production in house and staff numbers up from 10 to 60. The investment has further enabled Davison Canners to expand its product range to include a new line of shelf ready, hot eat desserts for the retail and food service sectors in Britain, Ireland and further afield.
Following the investment and launch of the new dessert range, the business has won contracts with several high profile retailers including Booths in the north of England and Aldi stores in the UK and Ireland.
The deal follows a previous funding package of £400,000 from HSBC in 2015, which was invested in a jam, compote and sauce manufacturing facility on site.
Joint managing director at Davison Canners, Alan Davison said the long relationship with HSBC has enabled the firm to realise its ambitions in becoming a diverse supplier of quality food products and storage solutions to a wide customer base
"Our orchards complement the food production that is now on site, we have full control over our products and the ability to innovate further. It provides us with a great opportunity to add further value to our initial product range of fruit compotes, fillings, jams and sauces, giving us complete control of our products from primary processing through to marketing and point of sale retailing. It has allowed for the increase and improvement in efficiency of the supply chain and we’re exploring more opportunities for growth and are excited about what the future will hold.”
Following diversification and rapid business growth, turnover is now expected to double to £10 million next year.
Deputy area director for HSBC in Northern Ireland, Chris McQuay hailed Davision Canners as an "exciting and evolving business".
“We’ve supported Davison Canners since 2010 and in this time we’ve seen rapid growth as the business expands and exports its products further afield. Through diversification Davison Canners has opened up enormous channels for growth. It is an exciting and evolving business that is delivering quality products, making efficiencies and already reaping the rewards through winning additional contracts.”
The funding has been allocated from HSBC’s national £10 billion SME Fund, with £100 million specifically designated to support SMEs in Northern Ireland.
