MULTI MILLION POUND EXPANSION FOR LOCAL SANDWICH COMPANY

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster announced a multi million pound investment by The Brunch Box Sandwich Company, which will create 41 new jobs. The Invest Northern Ireland (Invest NI) backed company produces a wide range of high quality ???food to go' products, including pre-packed sandwiches, rolls, wraps, salads, scones, paninis and ready meals for retail and food service customers. Announcing the expansion at the company's production facilities in Dundonald Enterprise Park, Arlene Foster said: "This is a strategic investment by an ambitious company which will help to expand sales outside Northern Ireland and more than double turnover by 2012. The Brunch Box has already developed an impressive portfolio of clients for its extensive range of convenience products for the retail and foodservice markets. ???Management are pushing ahead to achieve growth targets and 17 of the planned 41 new jobs have already been created. In addition, the company has signed up a number of new clients in target markets which have enabled it to consolidate its position as one of the leading producers of pre-packed ???food to go' businesses in Northern Ireland.??? The Minister continued: "Food and drink processing is now our most important manufacturing industry and is a major contributor to the region's Gross Value Added and business outside Northern Ireland. Furthermore, there is potential for faster growth across a broad range of sectors, including convenience products. I am keen to see this industry drive forward, both in terms of increasing exports and external sales, as well as new product development." John Weatherup, Brunch Box Managing Director said: "This important investment is being made to enable us to build on the growth in sales over the past few years. We are operating in an extremely competitive marketplace and need to continually invest in our premises, process and people to provide our customers with a consistently high quality product at a good value for money price point. "This consistent double digit growth gives us a very solid base to achieve a substantial increase in sales, particularly outside Northern Ireland, which currently contribute 50% of our business. Our objective is to drive sales to markets such as the Republic of Ireland to beyond 60% of business. Invest NI has encouraged and facilitated our expansion plan through expert advice and very practical support," he added. Pictured alongside the Minister is John Weatherup, Managing Director, The Brunch Box.