BALLYMONEY artisan food producer The Good Food and Wine Company is to double its product portfolio in response to increased demand.
The firm is investing £200,000 - supported by Invest NI - and has taken on six new workers in the drive to expansion.
The business targets the gourmet food market and will be developing new, complimentary products including cooking/dipping oils, confit, flavoured salts, chutneys and further fruit based drinks.
Co-founders Nicholas and Michelle Lestas said said the investment "forms part of our long term growth strategy, which involves bringing new product development in-house and further expanding our products line, to build on success to date".
"Encouragingly, we secured a £20,000 order for our hampers in the Republic of Ireland recently and are positioned to meet this increase in sales with our six new sales and production staff.”
The company has been offered £62,000 by Invest NI toward its plans.
“Invest NI has supported us since the very beginning and our product development and recruitment activities planned over the coming months will help us to differentiate ourselves in an increasingly competitive market,” said Michelle.
Des Gartland, Invest NI’s north west regional manager added: “This is a highly innovative and export focused young business with an ambitious strategy to double its product range over the next three years.
“The Good Food and Wine Company has benefited from a range of support and technical assistance towards its development activities over the years. Its e-commerce website in particular is helping to generate valuable international sales.
"This latest investment will help to enhance the firm’s brand and increase its market share among food retailers and the food service sector across the UK, Republic of Ireland and beyond.”
