Newry sandwich firm's multi-million pound investment creates jobs and upskills workforce

ITV News

2 days ago

Some 130 jobs are to be created at a sandwich firm in Co Down.
Deli Lites is planning a £12.8 million investment to automate the company's production and broaden its product range.
The move is being supported by Invest NI's Agri-Food Investment Initiative, while a further £6 million investment by the company is to help upskill the existing workforce and create 130 jobs in Warrenpoint.
The new jobs include senior positions such as a new chief commercial officer.
Deli Lites was established in 1998 by husband and wife Brian and Jackie Reid and supplies fresh gourmet sandwiches and food-to-go products to convenience stores, supermarkets, major coffee chains and international airlines.
Its customers include Applegreen, Costa Coffee, Aer Lingus and American Airlines.
Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald hailed the investment.
'The north's food and drink processing sector is a true local success story, with latest statistics showing that it generates £6.5 billion in sales and supports over 25,500 jobs across our towns and countryside,' she said.
'This investment will unlock significant growth opportunities for Deli Lites in this exciting sector.
'Increased capacity and new automated equipment will boost productivity and enable it to expand its fresh and frozen ranges, growing its sales in Britain and Ireland, and open up additional export markets.
'With 78% of our food and drink sold outside the north, this industry showcases the quality, innovation, and global appeal of what we produce right here at home.
'The creation of 130 new jobs in Warrenpoint, which will help leverage almost £10 million in wages and salaries across the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area by 2027, is also good news as we work to deliver a more regionally balanced economy.'
Brian Reid, chief executive at Deli Lites, said: 'Since our beginnings over 30 years ago, we are now an all-Ireland business with export sales growing in international markets.
'We've always been a trailblazer in our sector, shown when we became the first sandwich maker in the UK and Ireland to achieve B Corp certification.'
Jackie Reid, co-founder and CSO at Deli Lites, said: 'Bringing even more products to our snacking and convenience range and investing in production and automation will significantly increase our capacity and customer reach.
'We're delighted to be growing our team in Warrenpoint to bring further expertise into the business and help us achieve our vision, to transform how the world experiences food on the move.'
Grainne Moody, director of food and drink at Invest NI, said the project builds on its previous support for the firm to develop its product range for the European market.
'Its success has positioned the company to become a key supplier for the global airlines sector,' she said.
'This new project will increase innovation and boost productivity by transforming labour-intensive processes and increasing digitalisation.