Finnebrogue looks to future with 21st century plant

Finnebrogue looks to future with 21st century plant

16 March 2016

DOWNPATRICK now has one of the most modern food production plants in Europe following the completion of Finnebrogue’s new £25m factory at Down Business Park.

The local company currently employs around 330 staff but is looking to recruit more highly skilled personnel as it ramps up its operation which is currently generating a £55m annual turnover.

Specialising in artisan pork products, the hugely successful business is gearing up to double its turnover which is expected to hit the £100m mark within the next few years.

Finnebrogue is a market leader and supplies a host of UK retailers including Marks and Spencer, Asda, Waitrose and Aldi.

Staff at Finnebrogue are passionate about making great food and in order to meet consumer demands for its innovative products, the business is searching for high calibre food science graduates to work for it. 

The firm is keen to recruit what it describes as “really creative foodies” with real passion for the company’s delicious food, its brand and the local community, to work at the new 160,000 square foot plant.

Finnebrogue is also looking to recruit a new product development manager to drive innovation forward in the business and is also searching for a chef manager who is passionate about food quality and nutrition, to manage a state-of-the-art staff restaurant — complete with Italian style alfresco eating area — on the top floor of the new multi-million pound base.

A major success since its launch, the Downpatrick business has no plans to stand still and owner Denis Lynn is committed to investing more money in new products and high calibre staff.

“We want good people to work for us in a variety of fields. I am planning to take the business to the next level and we are looking to recruit more staff to work in a brilliant new building which took 26 months to build,” he explained.

“I am delighted with the finish and what we are doing here. This a 21st century plant and one of the most modern of its kind anywhere in Europe. It is innovative and while we currently employ 330 people, we need more staff to help grow the business.”

Mr Lynn said senior Marks and Spencer executives are “delighted” with the new plant which boasts a roof top garden adjacent to the staff restaurant.

He continued: “People who work here refer to themselves as ‘Finnebrogians.’ It takes a certain type of person to work here, people who are committed and where nothing is too much of a problem and there is no such word as ‘can’t.’

“Recruiting high calibre staff is our focus for the future. We are looking for engineers and quality assurance 

people to drive the business forward, helping us continue to innovate and 

produce exciting new products to meet customer demand. We want good people to work for us in a variety of fields and are always on the look out for high calibre staff.”

Mr Lynn said he is delighted staff embrace the business ethos and are very passionate about the products produced at Finnebrogue.

He added: “Being in business is not about standing still, but moving forward and being innovative. That is what we do here. As we expand and innovate, we need additional staff to help us achieve that and have always employed the best people who live locally.”

In addition to its Down Business Park operation, the company also has a base at the Finnebrogue Road in Downpatrick producing a range of venison products which are also sold to leading High Street retailers and hugely popular.

Mr Lynn added: “We are planning to take the business to the next level and very keen to add to our growing number of employees who help make Finnebrogue what it is.”