Mark Windebank, managing director of the Newry-based wholesaler Savage & Whitten, Ivan McMinn, Head of Corporate Acquisition at Northern Bank and Tyrone Howe, Corporate Acquisition Manager Northern Bank.
The plans are part of a £6m investment package funded by Northern Bank.
As part of the expansion Savage and Whitten has doubled its office, warehouse and distribution capacity to 48,000 sq ft at their premises located in Carnbane Industrial Estate, Newry and its catering arm, Independent Catering Services will now operate from a 26,000 sq ft site.
This, the company says, follows business growth of 20% over the last five years and higher turnover which is set to increase to approximately £50m by the end of 2010.
Managing Director Mark Windebank said that the expansion plan reflected the company’s ability to drive sales and growth in a difficult market by delivering high quality products to its current 1,700 customers across the island of Ireland.
“The jobs created and those filled in the coming weeks will require highly skilled people which ensures that as a local employer we continue to make an important contribution to the economy.
“Our ambitions for significant growth in the future will be driven by the talent of our sales and management team, the strength of what we can offer to retailers through the Today Symbol brand and the new premises.
"All these developments will enable us to serve our customers better. A critical aspect of our plans for growth has been the decision to move our banking relationship to Northern Bank.
"This has had a tremendous impact on the business in terms of the facilities, eBanking services and the team’s expertise and knowledge of the food sector. Northern Bank has delivered on what they promised and we look forward to growing our business together.”
Savage and Whitten has also invested in new technology to improve its warehouse management system which will deliver increased efficiencies for the business.
Ivan McMinn, Head of Corporate Acquisition at Northern Bank said that the Newry based wholesaler has gone through tremendous growth in recent years and that the functionality of Northern Bank’s Business eBanking technology will help to deliver real efficiencies and improve cash management which will assist the company in its next phase of growth.“Both of Savage and Whitten’s core businesses have grown significantly in the last number of year with sales increasing by 130 per cent. Staff numbers have tripled and turnover has grown to over £40m.
"Companies like Savage and Whitten exemplify the sort of private sector business crucial to growing the Northern Ireland economy - and the type of business Northern Bank is proud and keen to support," he added. |
