Food wholesaler Sysco Ireland has announced plans to double the size of its Northern Irish operation over the next five years.
The company will invest £23m in the development of a proposed distribution facility in Nutt's Corner, Co Antrim, which is expected to create an additional 90 jobs upon completion, bringing the Sysco's workforce in Northern Ireland to 230.
“The project forms part of Sysco’s wider growth strategy, which with continued investment in our offering, innovation and people, has helped to establish the business as the leading foodservice provider on the island of Ireland," said Mark Lee, CEO of Sysco Ireland.
"The investment in the new facility, which is subject to planning approval, has been driven by strong customer demand in Northern Ireland.
“We are excited by the opportunities that our proposed new site will deliver for our ambition to grow in Northern Ireland, supporting investment and innovation in the sector and local job creation.
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“Sustainability is also a key consideration in the development plans, with the design incorporating solar panels on the roof, rainwater harvesting and advanced heat pump technology. We are committed to providing electric vehicle chargers for both staff and fleet vehicles.”
Proposals for the facility are being advanced by award-winning construction and property development company Heron Brothers, which operates throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe.
Commenting on the development, Paul Mulholland, property director at Heron Bros, said: “We are delighted to bring forward these exciting proposals at Nutt’s Corner, which promises to bring great benefits to the local area.
“Heron Bros prides itself on how we have been able to combine our traditional values with an advanced, innovative approach to construction.
"This project is a great example of this, combining innovative technologies designed to enhance sustainability, within a state-of-the-art storage and distribution centre.”
Sysco Ireland has around 9,000 clients and employs over 1,400 people in Ireland, and the company estimates that it sources more than 10,000 food products worldwide with 70% sourced locally on the island of Ireland.
Its parent company, the Texas founded, New York-listed Sysco, employs more than 58,000 people at 343 distribution facilities worldwide and generated sales of $51bn in its last financial year.
Photo: Mark Lee.
