Business

Local bakeries grow job numbers as part of Henderson own-brand expansion

Jonny Agnew from Henderson Wholesale with Tim Graham from Graham’s Bakery in Dromore, Co Down
Jonny Agnew from Henderson Wholesale with Tim Graham from Graham’s Bakery in Dromore, Co Down Jonny Agnew from Henderson Wholesale with Tim Graham from Graham’s Bakery in Dromore, Co Down

TWO bakeries in the north have grown their businesses and created a total of nine new roles thanks to continued investment from Henderson Wholesale as they expand their own-brand bakery range.

Graham’s in Dromore and Scott’s Bakery in Fivemiletown, who've been suppliers to Spar, EuroSpar and Vivo-branded stores in Northern Ireland since 1990 and 2004 respectively, have been supplying Henderson’s own-brand products since 2018, including range of muffins, tray bakes and cakes which launched last year.

Since then, the range has been extended and is now expected to exceed £2.1m in sales (four times that of the first half of 2019), enabling Henderson to invest further in its local suppliers.

Graham’s family bakery has made a significant investment in its facilities in Co Down and created six jobs while Scott’s Bakery has created three new roles thanks to its contract. Daily Bake in Armagh and Holme’s Bakery in Portadown also supply to the range.

Eamon Taggart, trading manager at Henderson Group, said: “Our 'enjoy local' bakery started with six products a year ago and added 22 more in 2019. And thanks to the excellence of the bakers we work with, we’ve been able to expand to 42 products.

“We've since launched 12 new products including mini sponge cakes and individual tarts which create a handmade coffee shop experience at home, an indulgent cupcake platter and new seasonal toffee apple muffins that always taste great as we transition from the summer into autumn.”

The additions bring the entire 'enjoy local' range of fresh meat, poultry, soups, bread, cheese and salads to a total of 139 products from 20 local suppliers across the island of Ireland.

Eamon added: “When shoppers pick up any cake product from the 'enjoy local' range until September 20, 10p will be donated from our suppliers and Henderson Wholesale to the charities as part of a campaign to help organisations and their service users adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic.”