Foodservice supplier award for North Down Group
A growth rate of 38 per cent and investment in the business were two of the factors that contributed to the North Down Group being named as Foodservice Supplier of the Year at a major food awards in London, organised by the UK fresh produce trade association – FPC.
Pitted against some of the UK’s biggest names in fresh food, the North Down Group scooped one of the top accolades at the Fresh Awards 2016 – and was the only company from NI to be recognised.
The award is the latest accolade to cement the North Down Group’s reputation as one of the leading foodservice fresh produce providers in NI.
Ashley Megarry, managing director, explains:
“In 2015, we took the strategic decision to invest in the business through training, modernisation of our facilities, increasing our fleet and expanding our product range. It was an investment that has paid off, with our customer base increasing by 23 per cent and turnover in 2015 growing by almost 40 per cent.
“To be recognised at the Fresh Awards on a UK level is a tremendous achievement for the company, and it’s a real testament to how our team embraced the changes that were introduced, and how our investment in the business is paying dividends.”
Founded 26 years ago in Newtownards with three employees and a van, the North Down Group has grown to employ 112 people over three departments. It supplies many of NI’s top restaurants and retail outlets from its headquarters, which are situated off Kennedy Way in Belfast. This is also where the North Down Group facilitates NI’s only commercial farmers’ market, with producers congregating daily at 3.30am to sell the freshest fruit and veg.
In addition to focusing heavily on local sourcing, the North Down Group imports produce from across the world, including exotics, herbs and speciality vegetables, and the company has continued to expanded its fresh, pre-packed fruit and vegetables to the retail sector.
Our picture was taken at the award ceremony, it shows (left to right). Richard Barret, Ivan Martin, Peter Robinson, Rhonda Thompson and Perry Donaldson with event compere, Craig Charles (fourth from left), and Ross Goatham from award sponsor, AC Goatham & Son (back row).
