Linden Food's Expansion Targets Exports

A major employment fillip is on the way for NI's meat processing sector with news of a £10m meat processing facility opening in Co Tyrone.

The event, on Thursday, brings with it the promise of increased export business and 85 new jobs over the next three years as the state-of-the-art 5,740 sq m building comes on line in Dungannon as an extension to Linden Foods existing premises.

It will increase to 520 their total workforce, with jobs coming in the new site's production and dispatch areas and 'innovation centre'.

Linden Foods was established in 1998 after Granville Meats, then owned jointly by Fane Valley and Ulster Farmers' Investments Ltd, and the Newtownards-based Milltown Meats, merged.

It forms part of Linden Food Group, which has a turnover in excess of £300m and employs 1,100 people on seven sites in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and England.

Opening the facility, Stormont Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster (pictured with Trevor Lockhart, Chairman of Linden Foods) said it would bring benefits for both the firm and its customers.

Noting that Invest NI has also offered assistance totalling £497,000 - part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) - she said: "These new facilities strengthen Linden Foods' ability to increase productivity and expand its activity on new product development, both essential elements for future growth," Ms Foster said.

"The new packaging technology in this facility will also have clear benefits for end users and will position Linden as a leading provider of packed products for the retail market.

"The food industry is a key contributor to Northern Ireland's economy and one that has shown an impressive resilience to the economic downturn, better than virtually every other sector."

Also commenting, Gerry Maguire, Managing Director of Linden Foods said: "This new facility, which includes a dedicated development kitchen where new recipes can be trialled and crafted, is the next natural step for the company's growth and will allow us to bolster our position as market leader within the meat processing industry.

"It gives me great pleasure to see this new facility declared officially open. This plant represents a significant investment by Linden Foods in our business in Ireland and underlines our commitment to both our customers and employees."

The new premises are located adjacent to the company's main processing site and include an innovation centre incorporating a development kitchen as well as new preparation, production and dispatch areas.

The Minister continued: "The food industry is a key contributor to Northern Ireland's economy and one that has shown an impressive resilience to the economic downturn, better than virtually every other sector.

"The Focus on Food strategy launched earlier this year urges local companies to focus resources on innovation.

"Companies like Linden Foods are leading the way by investing in new technology and new product development for future growth."

Linden Foods anticipates that as a result of the investment in the new facilities and in new product development the company will be able to increase sales by 32%, most of which will be in markets outside Northern Ireland.

(BMcC/GK)