Finnebrogue to create 90 new jobs with new food ranges

Finnebrogue to create 90 new jobs with new food ranges

16 January 2019

THE success of innovative Downpatrick firm Finnebrogue Artisan is set to continue with the opening of a new ultra-modern £3m vegan and vegetarian factory.

The latest significant investment by the award winning company — which is one of the district’s leading employers — will support 90 new jobs with the new facility capable of turning over £30m a year.

The latest investment by the company is in response to increasing demand for vegetarian and vegan alternatives, with the diversification illustrating the firm’s willingness to respond to changing trends across the food industry.

The artisan food producer, which has revolutionised the bacon and ham market in the past 12 months by launching the first mass-produced nitrite-free alternatives, has invested £3m as it looks to step up its meat-free offerings.

Finnebrogue has been producing vegetarian and vegan products for three years, but the opening of a brand new factory marks a significant up-scaling of the firm’s meat-free production.

The company’s managing director, Brian McMonagle, said Finnebrogue prided itself on providing consumers with “delicious, innovative products”.

“Given the increasing demand for vegan and vegetarian alternatives, this new factory was the obvious next step in our extraordinary growth,” he continued.

“We are determined not to stand still and are always looking to make food the best it can possibly be, without being bound by the way it’s always been done. More and more people are switching to a vegan or vegetarian diet and even meat eaters are increasingly seeking a day or two off a week.”

Mr McMonagle added: “Alongside the opening of our new factory, our new product development team is doing extensive work to make some of the tastiest meat-free products on the market.”

The Downpatrick firm is one of the fastest growing food manufacturers in the Province, with its turnover catapulting from just £5m in 2009 to close to £90m in the current financial year.

In addition to its soaring sausage business and ground-breaking Naked Bacon and Naked Ham, the firm is a top supplier of venison and wagyu beef to many leading retailers.