South African food manufacturing firm sets up in County Down
South African food company, Moorcroft Foods has announced it is establishing a manufacturing facility in Newtownards in Northern Ireand which will see the creation of 11 jobs. Moorcroft Foods is a new food business started by South African businessman, Gavin Moorcroft. The company will manufacture and sell Biltong and Droewors, both dried meat products, from its new premises in Quarry Heights Industrial Park, Newtownards.
Speaking about Invest Northern Ireland support and guidance which helped attract the company to Northern Ireland, John Hood, Invest NI’s Director of Food and Drink, said: “Northern Ireland has a renowned agri-food heritage and I am pleased that Moorcroft Foods has made the decision to establish its first manufacturing facility in Northern Ireland, secured with our support.
“This investment will create 11 jobs and will ensure the South African company is well placed to take advantage of opportunities in the ‘food to go and snacking’ markets in Great Britain, Republic of Ireland and Europe. It also aligns with our strategy of increasing FDI investment across Northern Ireland and is a great example for other companies looking to set up here. I look forward to seeing Moorcroft Foods grow and embedding itself into the County Down business community.”
The Moorcroft family is a well-known family in South Africa, spanning five generations of South African meat farmers. Invest NI has provided the company with guidance on setting up in Northern Ireland, and has offered £99,931 towards new equipment for its facility.
Gavin Moorcroft, Owner and Managing Director of Moorcroft Foods, said: “We are excited to announce the opening of our new manufacturing facility in Newtownards. Our products will be made using traditional South African recipes and through research we have identified real growth opportunities for our products across the UK, Republic of Ireland and further afield. With Invest NI’s support and ongoing advice, we have invested in a range of equipment, which will help us to manufacture our quality product in Northern Ireland and share our world-class South African meat heritage throughout this part of the world.
“I love Northern Ireland and its friendly people, so much so that I have decided to relocate my family here and really commit to growing the business. We look forward to investing further in Northern Ireland and growing in the Ards & North Down Borough Council area.”
Mark Bleakney, Invest NI’s Southern Regional Manager, said: “I’m delighted we could secure this investment for the Ards & North Down Borough Council area, these jobs are a great boost to the area. The 11 strong team will play a key role in Moorcroft Foods’ growth both here and internationally and support it to meet the growing consumer demand for South African produce.”
Invest NI is committed to driving innovation in Northern Ireland and is a partner of Innovate NI, a Department for the Economy programme, helping local businesses innovate successfully. For further information, visit www.innovateni.com.
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Pictured L-R are: John Hood, Invest NI’s Director of Food & Drink; Mark Bleakney, Invest NI’s Southern Regional Manager; and Gavin Moorcroft, Owner and Managing Director of Moorcroft Foods.
