Food firms lead Northern Ireland's Top 100 manufacturers

More than a quarter of the companies listed in Northern Ireland's 100 top-performing manufacturing businesses are in the agri-food industry.

Published by Insider business magazine, the annual Northern Ireland Manufacturing 100 listhas been compiled using data supplied by Experian MIQ and is sponsored by HSBC. The performance of the agri-food companies is a further demonstration of the industry's strength and its contribution to the region's economy. The industry generates around £5 billion annually to the economy.

Poultry producer Moy Park in Craigavon, county Armagh, Northern Ireland's only £1billion+ manufacturer, once again tops the list, with animal feed manufacturer W&R Barnett in Belfast securing second spot for the second year running.

In fact, five of the top 10 are from agri-food, including Dunbia in Dungannon, county Tyrone, one of the UK's biggest meat processors, food and drink distributor SHS in Belfast, and Hilton Meats, another Belfast meat processor.

The highest new entrant is LacPatrick Dairies (at 22). The company was formed in July 2015 as a result of the merger of Ballyrashane Cooperative Creamery and Town of Monaghan Co-ops.

Other food companies listed include Dale Farm in Belfast, Northern Ireland's biggest dairy processor and largest farmers' co-operative; meat processors Linden Foods, Dungannon, county Tyrone; Bawnbua, Lurgan, county Armagh; Elmgrove Foods in Dungannon, couty Tyrone; Lynn Country Foods in Downpatrick, county Down, otherwise known as Finnebrogue Artisan; and Doherty and Gray, Ballymena, county Antrim.

Also listed are food distributor Henderson Foodservice, Newtownabbey, county Antrim; pork processor Cranswick Country Foods in Ballymena, county Antrim; Avondale Foods, Lurgan, county Antrim, bakeries WD Irwin of Craigavon, county Armagh and Evron Foods, also Craigavon, and Old Bushmills Irish whiskey distillery in county Antrim.

Commenting on the 2018 Manufacturing 100, Philip Cunliffe, Insider's regional business editor for Northern Ireland, says: "It's always interesting to see how the manufacturing sector is performing in Northern Ireland.

"The figures clearly demonstrate how well firms are doing despite the current uncertain trading environment. It's also great to see some new names entering the list."