Local sausage-maker to share in £3m additional sales

LONDONDERRY sausage maker James Doherty Meats will share in an additional £3m in sales as one of 11 local food companies to have participated in supermarket giant ASDA’s first ‘Supplier Development Academy.”

The companies will collectively benefit from an additional £3million in sales over the next 18 months.

The positive results, which are also anticipated to create up to 50 new jobs in the sector, were announced by DETI Minister Arlene Foster at a dinner at Stormont to celebrate the culmination of the eight month programme.

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Achieving growth and maximising business potential were the key objectives of the SDA which was a collaboration between ASDA and Invest NI. While the 11 companies invited to take part were existing suppliers to ASDA, each was identified as having the potential to expand its contracts, both in the NI market and across Asda’s UK-wide store network.

DETI Minister Arlene Foster said: “Northern Ireland has much to be proud of in terms of its food & drink industry and the 11 companies recognised tonight, and the way they have collaborated with ASDA, gives me great hope in the potential of the entire sector.

“Our companies, both large and small, are now competing and winning nationally because of the quality, wholesomeness and originality of their products and the strength of their commitment to excellent customer services.”

Michael McCallion, ASDA’s Head of Local Sourcing for Northern Ireland and Scotland regards the SDA as the chance to take its already successful partnership with food suppliers to the next level:

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“As a retailer ASDA is totally committed to the NI food sector. We’ve invested over £370million in the sector since opening here in 2005 and want to push this even further. We’re proud to be taking a lead by helping some of our top companies and brands strengthen their understanding of retail, build their relationship with our buying team and focus throughout on what customers want.”

The 11 SDA suppliers are: Allied Mills, Cloughbane Farm Foods, Doherty & Gray, Whites Speedicook Ltd, Flynns Fine Foods , Gilfresh Produce, James Doherty Meats, Linwoods, Mash Direct, Quinfresh, and Really Good (QVS) Ltd.