Business

Mulrines appoints top executive to lead new Sion Mills drinks project

New managing director Michael Lyttle (right) with Peter Mulrine, chairman of Mulrines
New managing director Michael Lyttle (right) with Peter Mulrine, chairman of Mulrines New managing director Michael Lyttle (right) with Peter Mulrine, chairman of Mulrines

BALLYBOFEY-headquartered juice production company Mulrines has appointed a hugely experienced food industry executive to spearhead its growth plans, which includes opening a new £10 million production facility at the former Herdman's Mill in Sion Mills.

Michael Lyttle joins the company as managing director, having spend the previous two years in a similar role at Hilton Foods Ireland.

A graduate of Ulster University and Hult Ashridge International Business School, he previously worked at Mulrines, and held senior roles in Moy Park and Lakeland Dairies.

With 20 years’ experience across the FMCG sector, Lyttle will have a pivotal role in supporting the fourth-generation Mulrines family business's growth plans.

As well as investing in new production capacity at its Ballybofey factory in Donegal, Mulrines confirmed in December that it is creating 54 jobs by 2026 at a new drinks and liquid food manufacturing facility in Sion Mills.

The move, supported to the tune of nearly £500,000 by Invest NI, will bring life back to the old Herdmans Mill, which dates back to the mid-19th century and was once a major centre of the textile industry in the north-west before closing for good in 2004.

Confirming the appointment of his new managing director, Mulrines chairman Peter Mulrine said: “I’m delighted to welcome Michael at this very exciting time for our business following the investment in both our Ballybofey site and our new juice and plant-based production and warehousing facility in Sion Mills.

“He has a proven track record in developing and leading large teams in multi-site manufacturing environments, which is a skill-set that will play an important role in the growth and expansion of our business.

“He has a wealth of operational and supply chain leadership experience and his knowledge of both the Irish and UK retail and foodservice sectors and the drinks industry in general will be invaluable to the company in the years ahead.

“He will bring energy and vision to an already dynamic team and I am looking forward to working with him to grow a responsible and sustainable business that makes an important contribution to the local economy.”

Michael Lyttle added: "I’m excited about taking on this role with an established and ambitious business like Mulrines.

“Since 1919 in County Donegal, the Mulrines family have steadily built a dynamic and innovative organisation, and in recent years this same entrepreneurial spirit has resulted in the development of over 300 acres of apple orchards in Kildare.

“Now with the Sion Mills investment and the additional capability we can offer customers, I'm honoured to have the opportunity to join this fantastic team and help set the course for what promises to be a very exciting future”.

The Mulrines business includes apple orchards, juice pressing, blending, and the production of fruit juices, fruit drinks and plant-based beverages, for the retail, wholesale and food service sectors in the Republic of Ireland, UK and other markets.

It also operates a base in Chester, where it produces a range of UHT beverage products for the UK, European and US markets.