New recognition for Dunbia top Northern Irish meat processor

Managing director of Dunbia, the Northern Irish meat business, Jim Dobson has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to the industry.

Dobson, who owns and runs 10 operating meat plants with brother Jack, has been named in the Meat Trades Daily 'Hall of Fame'. Dunbia, headquartered in Dungannon, County Tyrone, is the largest lamb processor in Europe and runs beef and pork plants in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

A £500 million group, Dunbia now employs over 3,000 people and is one of Northern Ireland's biggest enterprises and a multinational food operation that exports to over 15 markets in Europe, North America and Asia.

Founded in 1976, Dunbia has grown from a small butchery business in Northern Ireland to become a leading supplier of fresh and packaged meat and convenience meals to major retailers throughout the UK and other parts of Europe.

The group employs 1,240 in Northern Ireland and last year over £200,000 was invested in training at the Dungannon and Ballymena plants. Dunbia believe this highlights the importance it places on continually developing the skills of staff and was the first to set up a butchery academy.

The acquisition of Ballymena-based Stevenson & Co in January 2009 saved more than 100 jobs and created 92 more. The purchase allowed Dunbia to build its pork distribution business as well as saving and creating local employment.

The company remains privately ownedf and values the relationships it has with stakeholders and develops these in order to maintain an efficient and effective supply chain from field to fork.

Dunbia serves every market sector including the UK's largest multiple retailers and food manufactures, and exports to a vast customer base in over fifteen countries.

The company has won several industry awards in the last 18 months including 'Star Supplier', 'Best for Innovation' and 'Best British Product'.

Over the years Dunbia has developed to become one of Europe's leading and respected suppliers of top quality beef, lamb and pork products for the national and international retail, commercial and foodservice markets.

Dunbia is committed to continuous improvement with regard to the environment and is currently working towards the implementation of environmental management systems throughout all sites to ISO 14001 standard. All Dunbia sites are certified by EFSIS to the BRC global standards.