MACKLE Petfoods has announced plans to create 31 jobs in a £5.7 million investment.
The Co Tyrone company has said the major expansion of the family-owned business is geared at doubling its turnover.
Mackle operates a manufacturing facility in Moy and a packaging and distribution site in Moygashel, near Dungannon.
The company is best known for its Naturo range, which now stands at 29 varities. Over the last three years, the Tyrone company has established itself in the petfood markets of Portugal, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania, Croatia, and Greece.
Managing director John Mackle said the family firm had spent the past five years focusing on a continued investment in its Naturo brand, with particular success in the premium range of products it offers.
“This investment will help us grow further to provide more products and export our brands further,” he said.
“The onset of Covid-19 has reinforced the importance of innovating our business, providing excellent product, supporting our team and increasing our export sales.
“We are ambitious to expand across Europe and into the US where the petfood market is the largest in the world.”
Invest NI has backed the expansion with £600,000 toward the new jobs and the purchasing of new equipment.
The economic support agency’s chief executive, Kevin Holland, said the money will help the company streamline production.
“Mackle Petfoods is an ambitious family-owned business with a long history in the Mid Ulster area,” said Mr Holland.
“Through continued innovation the company has developed a premium offering for the UK and European pet food markets. The company is now making further investment, which highlights its drive and commitment to growing its business further and significantly increase export sales.”
Once in place, Invest NI said the jobs will contribute around £700,000 in additional annual salaries for the north’s economy.
John Mackle added: “Working with Invest NI we have had great support in exporting our products and this investment will help us to expand Naturo further, recruit new staff and purchase new state of the art equipment to increase our production capacity. We look forward to continuing this partnership over the coming years.”
