WILLOWBROOK FARM PLANS MAJOR INVESTMENT TO SERVICE CLIENTS IN GREAT BRITAIN AND THE IRISH REPUBLIC

Northern Ireland based Willowbrook Farm, a major supplier of vegetables and salads to the retail and foodservice sectors in the United Kingdom and Ireland, is to invest almost £4 million in a new state-of-the-art processing plant. The expansion is being made to enable the BRC accredited company to meet the growing demand from top retailers including the Co-Operative in the UK and the Musgrave/SuperValu and Centra chain in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The family-owned and managed company is based on a 120-acre farm, which produces a wide range of vegetables and potatoes, on the picturesque shores of Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland. It has been growing and supplying fresh and prepared vegetables for over 40 years. A longstanding commitment to new product development and customer services has led to an unrivalled product portfolio for both retail and foodservice organisations. John McCann, Willowbrook Farm's managing director, says: ???The investment in new processing facilities will provide state of the art premises to enable the development of innovative and quality products that customers are increasingly demanding, in terms of own label as well as those provided under our own Willowbrook Farm brand. ???The investment is the central element in our strategic focus which seeks to set us apart in the marketplace as a customer focused and complete one-stop shop for fresh and prepared vegetable dishes. ???Recent contracts from the Co-Operative and Musgrave are marvellous endorsements of our commitment to provide consistently high quality products and fresh ideas that meet ever-changing consumer tastes and market trends,??? he says. The Willowbrook Farm portfolio is already extensive, covering a wide range of more than 400 chilled, ready to eat and convenience products. The company has been built with a realization that innovation is essential in keeping its products at the forefront of customers' needs. A dedicated Product Development team keeps the range refreshed and innovative, using specialist knowledge of packaging, ingredients, presentation and future market trends. Willowbrook's success demonstrates the values of Northern Ireland Naturally.