Business

Around Noon to reduce plastic with £250,000 print investment

Around Noon chief executive Gareth Chambers at the new printing press in Newry
Around Noon chief executive Gareth Chambers at the new printing press in Newry Around Noon chief executive Gareth Chambers at the new printing press in Newry

FOOD-to-go firm Around Noon plans to save more 60 tonnes of plastic each year due following a £250,000 investment in a new in-house printing operation.

The company has opened a new printing business, Around Noon Print, as part of its commitment to environmental sustainability and in a move to improve flexibility for customers.

Around Noon, which employs more than 300 people, supplies a broad range of high-quality sandwiches, wraps, salads, fruit pots and juices to forecourt and convenience retailers and cafes. It also sells healthy ready meals via its Simply Fit Food business and bakery items under its Sweet Things brand.

The facility will meet all of Around Noon’s label printing needs, giving it the flexibility to add and delist products quickly and efficiently.

The flexographic printing press will also enable all of its labels to be cut and printed on recyclable paper and will reduce plastic label waste to nil.

Chief executive Gareth Chambers said: “This is a strategic investment to bring all label printing in-house, providing us with greater flexibility, security of supply, a range of efficiencies and most importantly, the ability to meet our sustainability goals by dramatically reducing our plastic usage.

“Environmental sustainability is extremely important to us, and this investment helps us to deliver on the latest stage of our ‘Keeping it Green’ manifesto.”