FIRM MOVES OUT

The company announced last week that work is set to begin on a multi-million pound warehousing project on the outskirts of Belfast that will provide employment for 120 construction workers.

The new facilities spell the closure of depots in Ballymoney and an existing one at Mallusk.

The Ballymoney site provides employment for 52 people although the company has assured all workers that no jobs will be lost with staff re-located.

While welcoming the investment and jobs boost by the company, local politicians expressed regret that business was being taken out of Ballymoney.

Mayor DUP Alderman Frank Campbell, said: "This operation has a long history and association with Ballymoney and it is sad that this is being severed.

"The predecessor company was based in the town centre for many years before moving to the Finvoy Road site.

"I know from personal experience that the company was very well thought of by those who worked for it.

"I welcome the strong commitment from the firm to ensure all of the 52 staff employed at the Ballymoney depot will continue in employment at Mallusk or at alternative business locations within the company."

Chair of Ballymoney Borough Council Development Committee, DUP councillor John Finlay, said: "I welcome the continuing growth of the firm and their commitment to redeploy staff, but regret the job losses to our area.

"The jobs which the construction of the new warehousing and office development will bring or sustain is also a welcome boost to the sector at this time and a gives a vote of confidence to the investment community.

"I hope also that there will be developments to make use of the excellent site on Finvoy Road vacated by Henderson."

Henderson Foodservice, part of the Henderson Group which owns the Spar franchise in Northern Ireland, said it is investing 14m in new warehouse and office accommodation on the company's 23.5 acre site in Mallusk.

The development work will be carried out by Ballymena-based Patton Construction and will provide employment for 120 people during the construction of the facility, it said.

The contract revisits a long standing relationship between the companies as Patton built the first phase of Henderson's Mallusk development in 1973.

Henderson Foodservice offers services to the catering industry, providing chilled, frozen and grocery products.

It said the decision to build a new facility was prompted by sales growth of more than 30% since 2007 and ongoing plans to centralise its distribution services at its Hightown Avenue site.

The firm currently operates two depots, one in Ballymoney employing 52 staff and the other at Mallusk where 101 people are employed.

Both depots will move to the new purpose-built facility in early 2011, with staff given the opportunity to transfer or take up alternative roles in the company.

The company acquired the depot at Finvoy Road, Ballymoney when it purchased Holmes Catering Services in 2004. The six-acre site and depot at Finvoy Road is wholly owned by the Henderson Group.

Managing director Damien Barrett said: "Henderson Foodservice has enjoyed a very healthy period of growth, winning a number of significant long-term contracts in both the public and private sectors. In order to maintain that level of year-on-year growth, we have reviewed our current business practices to ensure maximum efficiencies.

"Consolidating distribution to one base enables us to streamline the business, share resources and reduce running costs in general. The 14m investment will provide a 130,000 sq ft state-of-the-art frozen, ambient and chilled warehousing, as well as a suite of new offices."

He added: "We have a well motivated and highly skilled workforce at Ballymoney and it is our intention that they will all either relocate to Mallusk or be given the opportunity to take up a different role within the company. Over the next few months we will be consulting all of these staff to discuss optimum transfer timings and options. We will be maintaining current employment levels as a result of the depot changes and recruitment will become an important part of our business plan."