Beef processor invests £15m to upgrade production process
Foyle Food Group, a major beef processor, has announced a £15 million investment today (Wednesday, October 14) to upgrade production at its Omagh site in Tyrone.
The company said the investment will help it to improve how it processes, packs and delivers beef products.
The North's Economy Minister, Dr. Caoimhe Archibald, said: “Foyle Food Group is one of our leading agri-food businesses and a major employer in the west.
“With Invest NI’s support, this investment will help the company modernise its Omagh operations, introduce automated warehousing and packing equipment, and improve production processes across its facilities.
“It’s also excellent to see it invest in skills development across the business.”
She said this will also help new and current employees gain the knowledge needed as the company invests in new technology and strengthens productivity to remain competitive.
Founded in 1977, the family-owned Foyle Food Group produces premium beef products for customers in Britain and Ireland.
Terry Acheson, CEO of Foyle Food Group, said: “This investment is an important step in the continued evolution of our Omagh operations.
“As one of the largest dedicated beef processors in GB and Ireland, it will allow us to invest in new technology and equipment, helping us improve efficiency, maintain high standards of product quality and better meet the needs of our customers."
Invest NI has offered Foyle Food Group £2.9 million of support towards the project through its Agri-Food Investment Initiative (AFII) and skills development support.
Acheson added: “Invest NI’s support has been instrumental in helping us to accelerate these plans.
“With its support, we’re also able to invest in our people by developing our Foyle Futures programme and wider skills development to build leadership, technical and operational skills.
"This, coupled with the seven new jobs being created across our Omagh facility, will be vital to our business as we continue to grow and adapt.”
Meanwhile Gráinne Moody, director of food and drink at Invest NI, believes the investment "is a strong vote of confidence in Foyle Food Group’s future and in the continued strength of Northern Ireland’s agri-food sector".
“We’ve been working with Foyle Food Group for the last three decades to help its business grow.”
“It’s great to now support it further with such a significant investment in both its productivity and its people so that it can strengthen its long-term competitiveness from its Omagh base," she said.
