ONE of the north's best known retail companies the Henderson Group is investing £25 million in building new headquarters and distribution centre.
The business owns the Spar, Eurospar, Vivo, VivoXtra and Vivo Essentials franchises in Northern Ireland.
The family-owned firm is investing in its Mallusk base replacing the original structures which are now more than 40-years-old.
The money covers the purchase of new land as well as the construction of a trailer park.
It said the plans would "facilitate business growth and secure employment" across its four companies.
It currently employs 2,800 people and turns over more than £660m annually.
The Henderson Group supplies 400 stores and also owns and operates 78 successful Spar and Eurospar stores in Northern Ireland.
The new head office is being built by Ballymena firm Martin & Hamilton Construction.
It involves a £4.5m refurbishment and extension of the existing building which will double its size and will be completed by next October.
And £1.1m has already been spent on a new trailer park built by Hugh Griffin & Sons of Portglenone.
Martin and Geoffrey Agnew, managing directors of the Henderson Group said the investments would secure the company's future.
“We make no secret that our profits are re-invested into the business. This major investment in the development of a new main office and distribution site shows our commitment to providing a better working environment for our employees, as well as a more efficient way of working to benefit our retailers and logistics department," they said.
"We are confident this growth will bring future employment opportunities across all departments and companies that make up the Henderson Group.”
Geoffrey added: “We are delighted phase one of the development is well under way, and work will begin early in 2016 on the recently acquired Hydepark distribution warehouse that was purchased in 2014. This will see the beginning of our new warehouse developments to house Henderson Wholesale’s ambient range.
“This move will ensure we can facilitate the continued and strong growth of our fresh and ambient departments across both Henderson Foodservice and Henderson Wholesale. We continue to adapt and grow in line with consumer changes, resulting in a special focus across our fresh ranges. Our fresh departments continue to source locally where possible so we can continue to provide the very best fresh, local products and produce to our customers, retailers and shoppers across Northern Ireland.”
