Menu
06/11/2019
Buchanans Nut Factory Secures £1m Contract
Local nut businesses WG Buchanan and Son Ltd has secured a contract worth over £1 million with a UK firm as it opens a new factory and recruits more staff.
The company, well-known to consumers as Buchanans, imports, packs and distributes rice, cereals, pulses, nuts and bakery ingredients, along with its renowned 'soup mix'; the staple ingredient of traditional soups and broths.
The firm invested over £1m to develop a new standalone 12,000 sq. ft. factory on its Carrickfergus site which will lead to the creation of 13 jobs. Management are also celebrating winning the £1m deal for the supply of dried fruit and nuts with a UK buying group.
Job opportunities at the factory will include roles in sales, administration, and production and processing, along with roles at management level. The 13 new positions are expected to contribute an additional £225,000 in salaries to the local economy and generate a boost for the east Antrim area.
Philip Johnston, Director of Operations at Buchanans, said the separate processing and warehousing plant will remove potential cross contamination and provide greater reassurances to customers with nut allergies. Buchanan's products were already packed using dedicated machinery and strict allergen controls within the existing site, however the management remained conscious of concerns over serious allergies, especially of peanuts.
Invest Northern Ireland has offered the company £213,000 towards the factory build and the upgrading of machinery and equipment, to streamline its production process and increase efficiencies.
Mr Johnston continued: "I would like to thank Invest NI for its continued support throughout our journey so far. This substantial investment has already enabled us to grow sales in Great Britain, starting with a significant contract win, made possible by the increased capability our new factory has to offer. It will also provide additional capacity to grow our business in the Republic of Ireland, which is currently our biggest market outside the UK."
John Hood, Director of Food & Drink at Invest NI, congratulated the company on its expansion: "Buchanans is a well-established company, renowned for its quality, service, price and brand name. We have worked with it closely for many years, previously supporting its initial move to a 25,000 sq. ft. production facility at our Trooperslane Business Park in Carrickfergus.
"This recent support has helped Buchanans to develop a new standalone nut factory, complete with state-of-the-art processing and packing facilities, which has already led to substantial success in external markets."
Invest NI's support is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund under the EU Investment for Growth and Jobs Programme 2014–2020.
The company, well-known to consumers as Buchanans, imports, packs and distributes rice, cereals, pulses, nuts and bakery ingredients, along with its renowned 'soup mix'; the staple ingredient of traditional soups and broths.
The firm invested over £1m to develop a new standalone 12,000 sq. ft. factory on its Carrickfergus site which will lead to the creation of 13 jobs. Management are also celebrating winning the £1m deal for the supply of dried fruit and nuts with a UK buying group.
Job opportunities at the factory will include roles in sales, administration, and production and processing, along with roles at management level. The 13 new positions are expected to contribute an additional £225,000 in salaries to the local economy and generate a boost for the east Antrim area.
Philip Johnston, Director of Operations at Buchanans, said the separate processing and warehousing plant will remove potential cross contamination and provide greater reassurances to customers with nut allergies. Buchanan's products were already packed using dedicated machinery and strict allergen controls within the existing site, however the management remained conscious of concerns over serious allergies, especially of peanuts.
Invest Northern Ireland has offered the company £213,000 towards the factory build and the upgrading of machinery and equipment, to streamline its production process and increase efficiencies.
Mr Johnston continued: "I would like to thank Invest NI for its continued support throughout our journey so far. This substantial investment has already enabled us to grow sales in Great Britain, starting with a significant contract win, made possible by the increased capability our new factory has to offer. It will also provide additional capacity to grow our business in the Republic of Ireland, which is currently our biggest market outside the UK."
John Hood, Director of Food & Drink at Invest NI, congratulated the company on its expansion: "Buchanans is a well-established company, renowned for its quality, service, price and brand name. We have worked with it closely for many years, previously supporting its initial move to a 25,000 sq. ft. production facility at our Trooperslane Business Park in Carrickfergus.
"This recent support has helped Buchanans to develop a new standalone nut factory, complete with state-of-the-art processing and packing facilities, which has already led to substantial success in external markets."
Invest NI's support is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund under the EU Investment for Growth and Jobs Programme 2014–2020.
Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
05 September 2002
Coalisland company helps out Dublin hospital
Mater Misericodaie Hospital in Dublin has unveiled a new 90ft building that will reduce hospital waiting times around the North Dublin area. The building consists of five storeys, in 60 modular sections.
Coalisland company helps out Dublin hospital
Mater Misericodaie Hospital in Dublin has unveiled a new 90ft building that will reduce hospital waiting times around the North Dublin area. The building consists of five storeys, in 60 modular sections.
11 May 2010
North/South R&D Funding Revealed
An Irish business development body has announced it is to invest up to €175,000 in five North/South company-to-company research and development (R&D) partnerships. InterTradeIreland has encouraged companies from across the island of Ireland to take advantage of its Innova programme - by Friday 4th June.
North/South R&D Funding Revealed
An Irish business development body has announced it is to invest up to €175,000 in five North/South company-to-company research and development (R&D) partnerships. InterTradeIreland has encouraged companies from across the island of Ireland to take advantage of its Innova programme - by Friday 4th June.
18 June 2004
Unicorn Containers pioneers Saleslogix integration with Sage ERP
Sage CRM business partner, Pinnacle Computing, has helped Unicorn Containers become one of the first companies to integrate SalesLogix with front and back-office systems using Sage CRM’s new integration technology, the Sage Application Integration Server (AIS).
Unicorn Containers pioneers Saleslogix integration with Sage ERP
Sage CRM business partner, Pinnacle Computing, has helped Unicorn Containers become one of the first companies to integrate SalesLogix with front and back-office systems using Sage CRM’s new integration technology, the Sage Application Integration Server (AIS).
08 May 2003
Minister welcomes first meeting of Investment Board
Economic Policy and Finance Minister, Ian Pearson has welcomed the first meeting of the initial board of the Strategic Investment Board, the company set up to accelerate infrastructure projects across Northern Ireland.
Minister welcomes first meeting of Investment Board
Economic Policy and Finance Minister, Ian Pearson has welcomed the first meeting of the initial board of the Strategic Investment Board, the company set up to accelerate infrastructure projects across Northern Ireland.
12 December 2002
£4m investment for Connswater Shopping Centre proposed
Connswater Shopping Centre and Retail Park, which was purchased by Killtulagh Estates in October 2001 for £50 million, could benefit from a £4 million investment programme.
£4m investment for Connswater Shopping Centre proposed
Connswater Shopping Centre and Retail Park, which was purchased by Killtulagh Estates in October 2001 for £50 million, could benefit from a £4 million investment programme.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
