20 jobs at Castlewellan food firm

20 jobs at Castlewellan food firm

12 November 2014

A FAMILY-owned Castlewellan firm is investing £600,000 to expand its operation and create 20 new jobs.

TS Foods is being assisted by Invest Northern Ireland to expand sales in Britain of an innovative new range of chilled stuffing which will be sold by Tesco and Asda.

The Castlewellan firm currently employs 49 full-time staff at its Mary Street base. The 20 new jobs it plans to create includes two senior managerial positions.

Invest NI is offering just over £99,000 to assist TS Foods with its expansion plan which will provide a major boost for the local economy.

Joanne Molloy, the Castlewellan firm’s commercial director, described securing the new business with Tesco and Asda in Britain to supply fresh stuffing as a “very exciting development” for the company in a market it has targeted for growth.

“As well as the significant support for our investment in new plant, machinery and equipment, Invest NI’s food marketing advisory service in Britain helped us to pinpoint and exploit the developing business opportunity there for our new product,” she explained.

Joanne continued: “Our investment will also provide opportunities in Northern Ireland for suppliers and more than 40 per cent of goods, including ingredients, and services associated with this expansion, will be locally sourced.”

The Castlewellan firm’s commercial director added: “We expect that 80 per cent of the expenditure on developing, modernising facilities and revamping the existing production areas to increase productivity and efficiency will involve other local companies.”

TS Foods was founded in 1978 by the husband and wife team of Tony and Ann Steele to produce a range of convenience foods, including the well- known Tony’s Chippy Pastie.

The company, which has grade A quality accreditation from the British Retail Consortium, has expanded its frozen and chilled product range for both retail and foodservice clients in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain.

John Hood, Invest NI’s Food and Tourism Director, described the Castlewellan firm’s expansion plan as an “immensely important strategic investment” for the business because it is based on two significant retail contacts that will substantially increase its market position in Great Britain.

He continued: “Our assistance is enabling this successful and ambitious business to expand its processing and storage facilities for the new business in Britain for an innovative stuffing product.

“The new products offer shoppers a fresh alternative in line with the growing demand for such quality meals that combine convenience, provenance and value for money.”

Mr. Hood said the investment in plant, machinery and jobs will also strengthen the company’s overall competitiveness by increasing productivity, enhancing responsiveness and providing economies of scale.”

South Down MLA Sean Rogers and Councillors Laura Devlin and Patrick Clarke have welcomed the Castlewellan firm’s £600,000 investment which they have described as great news for the local economy.

Mr. Rogers described TS Foods as a company “on the up” and a prime example of how through hard work, grit and determination a business can survive, succeed and expand, even in the current tough economic climate, while Councillor Devlin praised the company’s belief in its workforce and the local community. Councillor Clarke said he has no doubt TS Foods will continue to be a leader in its field.