Giving pets the gourmet option

Moy-based pet food manufacturer, John Mackle Ltd is to invest over £2 million in consolidating its position as a key player in the pet food market.

The investment will entail the immediate replacement of the dry dog food production equipment which will increase production capacity six-fold and support the introduction of more innovative and flexible packaging types and sizes.

It is hoped that it will result in increases in production levels, efficiencies and overall competitiveness as the company instigates a move away from canned foods towards higher added value complete dry pet foods, a shift from economy to premium products and introduces more innovative and flexible packaging solutions.

In addition, production plant for canned products will be completely replaced over a two to three-year period, improving efficiency and supporting the introduction of new products to exploit market opportunities, particularly in relation to premium or gourmet pet foods.

Commenting on the investment, company founder and Chairman, John Mackle, said: “Whereas in the Republic of Ireland the preference is for canned products, in Great Britain there is a definite shift towards bagged dry product. As a result of this investment in more efficient and flexible plant, we are enhancing both our capability and our capacity to build on our position in our main markets, with a growing emphasis on higher added-value premium products.

“In support of this, we have developed a range of new products such as dried cat foods, which as a direct result of this investment, we will now be able to bring to market.“

Established in 1972 by John Mackle, the company is one of the two operating pet food manufacturers in Northern Ireland and is best known for its Brandy range of canned and bagged dog foods, in addition to canned cat foods under the Cat Club brand.

(MB)