30 jobs as Finnebrogue wins £50m M&S order

30 jobs as Finnebrogue wins £50m M&S order

24 July 2013

A DOWNPATRICK firm has secured a lucrative deal with Marks and Spencer which will increase its workforce by 30 to almost 150.

Finnebrogue has signed a three-year deal — believed to be in the region of £50m — with the High Street retailer to supply its top tier sausages in the UK and Ireland.

One of the key reasons for the new deal is the soaraway success of a new product which the Downpatrick firm has developed — the ‘posh dog’ which has been flying off the shelves at M&S over recent weeks.

Finnebrogue has been supplying the supermarket with pork, beef, venison and lamb sausages for a number of years, but the new three-year deal will see the company expand even further, creating new jobs and providing a major boost for the local economy.

Mr. Denis Lynn, owner and managing director of the local firm, says the success of the ‘posh dog’, which is a cross between a frankfurter and a premium sausage, has changed the shape of the business.

“The deal with M&S secures Finnebrogue, secures our staff and paves the way for us to employ 30 more people on a full-time basis,” he explained.

“The success of the ‘posh dog’ has been truly phenomenal and has left me gobsmacked. We had to dedicate one shift seven days a week to manufacture the product which M&S asked Finnebrogue to develop.”

Mr. Lynn said the posh dogs have taken the barbecue market by storm and outsold all the firm’s other sausages put together. He explained the new product is a Marks and Spencer take on the hot dog, made from smoked pork, but which is cooked like an upmarket sausage.

The businessman said striving for excellence is key to the success of the local business, highlighting the importance of “completely and totally focusing on being the best at what you do.”

And as the Downpatrick firm’s success story continues, Mr. Lynn is confident the firm’s turnover will more than double over the next three years to £50m.

As he looks to the future, Mr. Lynn revealed he has business plans in place, along with the new M&S contract, to grow Finnebrogue and create even more new job opportunities.

“Four years ago our turnover was £3m. We are currently sitting at £20m a year and in three years’ time I expect this figure to be around £50m,” he continued.

“For now, the focus is on recruiting the additional 30 staff we will need to fulfil the M&S contract. With this in mind we plan to hold an open day at Finnebrogue on Thursday of next week between 10am and 4pm.”

Mr. Lynn explained the open day will provide an opportunity for potential employees to meet with staff, enjoy a tour of the building and sign up for an interview.

He added: “The business is growing and our current staff are a major part of the company’s success. We have business plans in place for the future and our main focus is to now recruit the 30 people we need to deliver the M&S contract.”