Collapse of Glens of Antrim Potatoes Ltd causes major redundancies and substantial blow to potatoe farmers, says MP
The collapse of a major potato distribution company in Co Antrim has left most of its 95 employees redundant - and is a substantial blow to the many farmers who depended on it, the local MP has said.
Administrators have been appointed to Glens of Antrim Potatoes Ltd, which employed 95 staff across sites in Cushendall and Ballymena.
International financial advisory company Interpath were appointed as administrators on Monday, with Stuart Irwin, Ian Leonard and Robin Coughlin taking responsibility.
In a statement, they outlined the factors behind the development, saying the agri-food sector has faced significant challenges over the past few years, with businesses up and down the supply chain impacted heavily by rising input costs.
For Glens of Antrim, these pressures had a significant and detrimental impact on cashflow, they said.
In response, the company directors explored a range of options, including refinancing and investment, but sadly, with no solvent options available, the statement said, they had to take the very difficult decision to request the appointment of joint administrators.
The company is no longer trading and as a result, all employees have been made redundant, with the exception of a small skeleton staff retained to support the administrators.
The joint administrators and their specialist employment team will be providing "any and all support to those impacted" the statement said.
Stuart Irwin, managing director at Interpath and joint administrator, said: “Glens of Antrim has been growing and supplying potatoes across Ireland for over 50 years, so this is a tremendously sad outcome for the business, its dedicated team, the agri-food sector in Northern Ireland, and the wider community in Ballymena and Cushendall.”
The joint administrators are now seeking interest in the business and its assets, and are inviting any interested parties to make contact with the team at the earliest opportunity via [email protected]
North Antrim MP Jim Allister said the situation is "a huge problem" for the company's growers "who are left with potatoes in the ground and no buyer".
"Having spoken to the administrator, it is not yet clear why the company collapsed so suddenly," he told the News Letter.
The MP said the news was "very disappointing" and "a substantial blow to the agricultural sector".
He added: "Not only are 95 jobs being lost, but there is a big network of growers which could be left in the lurch. This is a serious matter, particularly at this time of year. It is my fervent hope that a suitable buyer will emerge."
Things looked so much better for the company at the start of the summer.
On 3 June Tesco issued a press statement announcing that Glens of Antrim had secured a major new retail contract with Tesco, as it launched its ‘Perfect for’ potato range into stores across Northern Ireland.
The potato and crisp producer had invested £180,000 in the development of the range, the result of a three‑year R&D programme that included extensive field trials across 20 potato varieties to identify those best suited to Northern Ireland’s unique growing conditions. The investment also included a new automated packaging line at the company’s facility to accommodate increased volume and future growth.
At the time Michael McKillop, MD of Glens of Antrim Group, said: “Bringing our ‘Perfect for…’ range into Tesco stores marks a transformational moment for our business. It reflects the scale of the work undertaken over the past three years and the trust Tesco has placed in our team, our growers and our product. This partnership ensures more shoppers can access locally grown potatoes that take the guesswork out of cooking, while strengthening the category and championing Northern Ireland produce.”
The range includes ‘Perfect for Roasties’, ‘Perfect for Chips’ and ‘Perfect for Creamy Mash’ and now available in Tesco stores across Northern Ireland. Each SKU uses carefully selected varieties chosen for their texture, dry matter and flavour profile, helping shoppers choose the right potato for every meal and reducing confusion in the potato aisle.