8 February 2000
MINISTER URGES SAINSBURY’S SUPERMARKETS TO DEVELOP ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH NORTHERN IRELAND FOOD PROCESSORS
"Major retailers such as Sainsbury’s Supermarkets have a vitally important role to play in assisting the growth of Northern Ireland food processors at this particularly difficult time for pigmeat and other key sectors," Sir Reg Empey, MLA, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, said today.
Sir Reg was speaking following a meeting with management from Sainsbury’s led by Ian Coull, Director of Development, which was held to discuss the retailer's future plans for its Northern Ireland business.
The Minister said: "The meeting gave me an opportunity to press the case for the agri-food industry in particular. Our pigmeat industry, for example, is under severe pressure, as evidenced by the closure of the Unipork processing plant in Enniskillen. This is due in part to the excessive amount of imported product.
"There would be a major boost for local companies if more products could be sourced locally.
"I appreciate greatly Sainsbury's commitment to increase its local sourcing to a target of £200 million per annum. This will bring substantial benefits to many local companies and will also reinforce the drive by IDB and LEDU to encourage smaller firms in particular to develop the sharp focus on the competitiveness required to ensure sustainable and profitable growth in today's challenging markets.
"I urged the Sainsbury’s team to develop further its Supplier Development Programme with IDB by exploring other means of accelerating the growth in products sourced from local suppliers," added Sir Reg.
Mr Coull said: "Northern Ireland companies such as Dungannon Meats, Irwin's Bakery and Farm Fed Chickens rank among the very best of our suppliers because they are competitive in UK terms.
"I am hopeful that the current rate of growth in local sourcing within Northern Ireland can be maintained and indeed accelerated. We are keen to work in partnership with local companies, helping them to develop their products and improve their overall ability to compete successfully for business.
"We are anxious to push ahead with the development of our network of stores in Northern Ireland, which will mean additional opportunities for Northern Ireland suppliers," added Mr Coull.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Sainsbury’s now has seven stores in Northern Ireland - Ballymena, Forestside, Craigavon, Armagh, Newry, Coleraine and on January 25 the latest store opened in Londonderry.
Also in January the company announced that James Doherty and Sons of Londonderry had become the 100th Sainsbury’s supplier in Northern Ireland.
When the company opened its Ballymena store it was sourcing £80 million worth of product from Northern Ireland and that figure has now risen to £120 million.
Suppliers such as Dungannon Meats, Irwin's and Farm Fed Chickens have found an increasing opportunity for their products in Sainsbury's stores in Great Britain.