Michelin Development chips in to aid local spud firm's expansion

Having secured a 25,000 loan from Michelin Development – the business development arm of Michelin Tyre PLC – Ian McMaster, who owns Chipmaster, is investing the cash in new processing equipment to help increase productions levels for the chips,peeled potatoes and vegetables which he processes on his Broughshane farm.

Since diversifying from potato farming to include potato processing in 2000, demand for the Chipmaster products has taken off with the company supplying chips, potato products and prepared vegetables to a range of hotels, restaurants and chip shops in and around a 30-mile radius of Ballymena.

In the last three years Chipmaster's sales have increased 56%, with word of mouth and quality of product proving to be the strongest sales tools in helping to post some tasty profits for this homegrown business success.

There are also benefits for the environment as local supply meets local demand to help deliver a carbon reducing cut in food miles.

Ian McMaster, whose family have been farming the land for over 100 years, said: “The loan we have received from Michelin Development has really helped us in buying new processing equipment. It allows us now to process around two and a half tonnes of potatoes an hour and will enable us to take the business to a new level.

“It's great to have big companies like Michelin help smaller businesses like ourselves as we in turn can put that investment back into the community by supplying local businesses with the potato products. It helps to keep everything local and enables local communities like ours to thrive.”

Cecil Caldwell, Ballymena Business Development Manager for Michelin Development, said: “We are very pleased to be involved in helping a local business such as Chipmaster, as their business model very much fits with Michelin Development's ethos of a company that's helping to create investment and opportunity in the local community.

“By helping forward thinking progressive companies like Chipmaster, Michelin Development can play its part in injecting a vibrancy and sustainability to the regional economy which in turn will help create a climate in which other start-ups and enterprises can flourish.”

Michelin Development Ltd is dedicated to helping small and medium sized businesses that can create new employment in the many areas of the UK where Michelin has present or historic links with the community. Interested parties should refer to www.michelindevelopment.co.uk to see how to qualify.