94 new jobs as Newry business announces £7m investment

Newry-based business Around Noon has announced a £7m investment and said it will create 94 new jobs.

Around Noon’s CEO Gareth Chambers and chairman Howard Farquhar with Grainne McVeigh, director of scaling, Invest NI. Photograph: Andrew Towe

The local company specialises in ‘Food-to-go’ products such as sandwiches and salads and already employs over 300 people in Newry, Dublin and Slough.

The company said that it is investing over £7 million in a major expansion to develop sales in the Great Britain and ROI markets.

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Invest Northern Ireland is providing financial assistance for 54 of the new jobs, several of which are at director and manager level.

It is also supporting market development activity and the implementation of a new production management system to drive efficiency improvements in the company and help the company to scale.

Around Noon, which this year celebrates 30 years in business, produces and distributes a range of ‘Food-to-Go’ and bakery products, targeting the upper-premium end of the market.

Commenting on the investment, Gareth Chambers, CEO of Around Noon, said, “Our goal is to become the UK and Ireland’s leading manufacturer of premium ‘food on the move’.

“We are targeting markets in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland and aim to increase sales outside Northern Ireland by over £13 million per annum over the next couple of years.

“The support from Invest NI will enable us to realise our growth plans and ensure that the Northern Ireland economy benefits,” he added.

Around Noon sells its products under the Scribbles, Sweet Things and So Natural brands and also provides a bespoke design and packaging service for clients that want to sell under their own brand name.

Welcoming the investment, Grainne McVeigh, Invest NI’s Director of Scaling, said, “Invest NI is keen to support companies with the potential to scale, based on a focused export strategy.

“Around Noon took part in our Leadership 4 Growth international transformation programme which has helped its management team develop the skills and strategies that will take the company to the next level.

“As well as supporting some of the jobs created by this investment, we are supporting the implementation of an integrated production management system to enable Around Noon to increase control over production yields, manufacturing processes and inventory.

She added, “Around Noon has grown from a small family business to a company with a multi-million-pound turnover and with this investment will be well placed to take advantage of further opportunities in the ‘food-to-go’ market within Great Britain and Ireland.”

Sinn Féin MP Mickey Brady welcomed the jobs boost.

The Newry and Armagh MP said, “News that Newry sandwich company Around Noon is creating 94 jobs is a welcome boost to the local economy.

“This is a firm which already employs hundreds of people in Newry and its other sites in Dublin and England.

“This jobs boost will also have a knock-on impact in the local economy.

He added, “I wish this firm well and hope that it will continue to grow in the future.”

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Posted by NewryTimes News on Aug 5 2019. Filed under Business, Community, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry