Northern Ireland based foodservice business Henderson Foodservice has completed an investment of approximately £14m in new warehousing and office accommodation on the company's 23.5 acre site at Hightown Avenue, Mallusk.

The development work was undertaken by Patton Construction, Ballymena, and has provided employment for 120 people during the construction of the facility.

The move is in response to sales growth in excess of 30% since 2007, and ongoing expansion which will now sees all warehousing and distribution services centralised at Mallusk.

Henderson Foodservice had operated two depots, one located at Finvoy Road, Ballymoney, employing 52 staff and the other at the Mallusk site where 101 people are employed.

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Both depots have now moved to the new purpose-built facility and all staff working in Ballymoney given the opportunity to transfer to Mallusk or be offered suitable alternative roles within the company.

Damien Barrett, Managing Director, Henderson Foodservice, explained: "Henderson Foodservice has enjoyed a very healthy period of growth winning a number of significant long-term contracts with both the public and private sectors.

"In order to maintain that level of year-on-year growth we have carefully reviewed our current business practices to ensure maximum efficiencies. Consolidating distribution to one base enables us to streamline the business, share resources and reduce running costs in general.

"The £14m investment provides a 130,000 sq ft state-of-the-art frozen, ambient and chilled warehousing as well as a suite of new offices.

"We have a well motivated and highly skilled workforce at Ballymoney and it is our intention that they will all either relocate to Mallusk or be given the opportunity to take up a different role within the company.

"We are maintaining current employment levels as a result of the depot changes and indeed continue to expand further, recruitment will become an important part of our business plan."

(GK)