Work gets underway at £10m complex

Work gets underway at £10m complex

26 February 2014

WORK has started on a new £10m food production plant in Downpatrick, strengthening a local company’s position as one of the district’s major employers.

Finnebrogue, which supplies artisan pork products to major retailers including Marks and Spencer, is investing heavily in new facilities, marketing activities and training initiatives.

The company is currently redeveloping a factory at the Down Business Park to provide a modern new facility in excess of 100,000 square feet. Construction work at the six acre site is being carried out in three phases with the first 40,000 sq. ft. phase scheduled to be completed and fully operational by mid-April.

Work on the second phase is timetabled for completion by mid-September and the final phase will involve finishing and kitting out work and the provision of new office accommodation.

Finnebrogue managing director, Denis Lynn, said the new plant will increase the company’s workforce to around 220, reaffirming its commitment to local job creation and the economy.

He said a major recruitment drive has been launched as the local firm plans to invest £2m in training initiatives over the next two years. Recruitment for the new posts, which include several at managerial level, is already underway.

Mr. Lynn has described the multi-million pound scheme as an important strategic investment for the business in response to demand from existing and potential customers in Britain.

Finnebrogue has been a major success story since its launch in 2000 and over the past few years there has been a significant increase in demand for its premium pork products. Mr. Lynn said the local firm’s projected 12-month turnover from the start of May this year will be £45m.

“When we built the first factory at Finnebrogue we had no business. We have already got the business for the new facility which will be able to produce high end sausages. It will be an extremely efficient building and that is also important,” he continued.

“We are very excited about this development and it is a progressive step for Finnebrogue. We will also be retaining our original factory.”

Mr. Lynn said as construction work on the new plant continues at pace, Finnebrogue’s focus is very much on recruiting the new staff it needs. The managing director is hoping people will recognise the prospects of being part of a progressive and dynamic local business.

“We are looking for a broad spectrum of people, those who can work in quality assurance, people with sound food technology backgrounds and those with sales and marketing experience. We want people to work for us and to make a career with the company,” he continued.

“We are a progressive company and our plant will be one of the most modern of its kind. We plan to spend £2m on training over the next two years and that is by no means an insignificant amount, reflecting our commitment to staff.”

Mr. Lynn said the company’s expansion and continued success story opens the door for people to not only apply for jobs, but make a career with Finnebrogue.

Fiona Kenealy, the firm’s human resources official, said the company has already found some really great people who have boosted their promotion prospects.

She added: “We are looking for staff we can grow and develop and there are endless career prospects within the company. When you come to Finnebrogue and show any kind of willingness you will get a chance to progress. We believe in progressing staff as best we can.”