NI food firm to create 31 jobs after £6m facility investment

As a result of the investment, the firm will generate 31 new jobs in the County Armagh area and projects to double turnover by 2027.

Focused on the development of products for the bakery, dessert and dairy categories, Davison’s new highly automated facility has allowed the firm to grow its presence within the ready to eat dessert space. Currently, it supplies individual cheesecakes, trifles and high-protein sweet goods to retail customers in Ireland and across the UK.

Davison has worked with Invest NI for the past 15 years, a regional business development agency that provides funding and support to boost the local economy.

Speaking during a visit to Davison’s headquarters, Invest NI CEO Kieran Donoghue said: “Providing good jobs, promoting regional balance and driving up productivity are all priorities outlined in the Minister’s Economic Vision last month. This investment ticks all three of these boxes.​

“This state-of-the-art manufacturing facility will drive up productivity by improving efficiencies, reducing the company’s carbon footprint and ultimately supporting Davison Canners in its ambition to be more competitive and well-placed to secure new deals with multiple retailers. The 31 new jobs that will be created in Armagh will deliver additional benefits for our economy, with almost £900,000 in salaries annually​.”

Looking back on the longstanding relationship between Davison and Invest NI, Donoghue added: “This has included providing support for the new equipment it needed when it began production of its ‘Simply Puddings’ range, which enabled the company to increase productivity and improve its efficiencies. ​

“We have also provided marketing development support that helped secure additional external sales, which are essential for lifting the Northern Ireland economy to the next level. I wish the entire team at Davison Canners every success in this next phase of its development of the business​.”

Meanwhile, Davison managing director Alan Davison commented: “Our commitment to producing best-in-class desserts and to nurturing relationships with our core customers has rewarded us with sustained growth. We are continually reviewing our business model, developing new innovative products and always looking for ways to expand into new areas in response to customer demands.​

“We are excited to take this next step in the company’s strategic growth and develop a new range of ‘cold eat’ desserts, that opens up significant new opportunities for us​.”

In other news, Mohsin Issa has said that Asda will hire a new chief executive after he carries out a “reset” of the business.​​