GREENISLAND Flowers is blooming after securing a new supply deal with Lidl to ship more than four million stems of freshly cut tulips, lilies and scented stocks to its 202 stores across Ireland.
The Portadown-based horticulturalist, which has two sites across six hectares, has been growing retail-ready fresh flowers for 18 years, and the latest contract will take its long standing relationship with Lidl up to 2022.
Initially producing just 250,000 stems, the company, which has 40 employees, has grown its operations to now supply more than four million stems to the retailer.
Conor Boyle, regional director of Lidl NI, said: “Our supplier partnerships and our focus on supporting local companies to share in our success delivers real quality and value for customers, businesses and the economy.
“We’re thrilled to extend our deal with all the team at Greenisland Flowers and to support them in securing new routes to the market in the Republic of Ireland with a quality product which celebrates real home-grown success.”
By the end of 2021, Lidl NI will have invested more than £7.2m with Greenisland Flowers, supporting the creation of 14 new local jobs.
Conor adds: “Other supermarket retailers often import from areas of Europe such as the Netherlands, but local suppliers like Greenisland Flowers have shown they can compete just as well.”
Greenisland Flowers started in 2002 as a father and son partnership, with only a work bench, pair of secateurs and a passion for growing beautiful flowers.
“Since then we’ve transformed our business into a multi-acre multi-site operation, producing millions of stems annually and continually innovating with new product lines and expanded ranges,” managing director Shane Donnelly said.
“Our partnership with Lidl has been transformative, and thanks to its support we have dramatically expanded our facilities, increased our production volume and provided additional employment.”
As well as cultivating 13 acres of flower field, Greenisland Flowers also operates Derrylard Nurseries on the shores of Lough Neagh, where it grows a range of seasonal vegetables for market and retail distribution including lettuce which it also distributes to Lidl.
