A NEWRY-based food-to-go firm has announced a £7 million investment, set to create almost 100 new jobs.
Around Noon has confirmed plans for a major expansion in the British and Irish markets as it looks to drive annual sales above the £13m mark.
The manufacturer, which currently employs 328 at facilities in Newry, Dublin and Slough in England has said the latest investment, supported by Invest NI, is part of its goal to become the "UK and Ireland’s leading manufacturer of premium ‘food on the move’".
"We are targeting markets in Great Britain and Republic of Ireland and aim to increase sales outside Northern Ireland by over £13 million per annum over the next couple of years," Around Noon chief executive, Gareth Chambers said.
“We are investing in management, key staff and business development activities. The support from Invest NI will enable us to realise our growth plans and ensure that the Northern Ireland economy benefits.”
Invest NI is providing financial assistance of £592,000 for over half (54) of the 94 new jobs, several of which are at director and manager level. The economic development agency is also supporting market development activity and the implementation of a new production management system to drive efficiency and growth at the company.
Grainne McVeigh, Invest NI’s director of scaling, welcomed the latest investment from the Newry manufacturer.
“Invest NI is keen to support companies with potential to scale, based on a focused export strategy," she said.
“As well as supporting some of the jobs created by this investment, we are supporting the implementation of an integrated production management system to enable Around Noon to increase control over production yields, manufacturing processes and inventory.
“Around Noon has grown from a small family business to a company with a multi-million pound turnover and with this investment will be well placed to take advantage of further opportunities in the ‘food-to-go’ market within Great Britain and Ireland.”
The latest expansion comes just a month after the Newry-headquartered business announced a £500,000 investment in improving its facilities, enhancing IT systems and increasing automation.
Around Noon, which this year celebrates 30 years in business, produces and distributes a range of ‘food-to-go’ and bakery products, targeting the upper-premium end of the market.
One of the fastest growing food companies in the UK and Ireland, Around Noon has appeared in the Sunday Times Virgin FastTrack 100 for the past two years. It was also listed as one of the top 10 fastest growing food and drink businesses in the UK and Ireland 2019 in the prestigious annual listing by Alantra and The Grocer.
In recent years the company has completed the acquisition of two businesses namely; London-based Chef-in-a-Box and Sweet Things Bakery, which was originally located in Dublin.
