Expansion at family food business brings 50 new jobs

Davison Canners, a County Armagh, family-run food manufacturing business is set to create more than 50 jobs in a significant investment programme supported by a £3.1 million HSBC finance package.
Alan Davison and Graham Davison, joint MDs of Davison Canners, with Chris McQuay and Lauren Hughes of HSBCAlan Davison and Graham Davison, joint MDs of Davison Canners, with Chris McQuay and Lauren Hughes of HSBC
Alan Davison and Graham Davison, joint MDs of Davison Canners, with Chris McQuay and Lauren Hughes of HSBC

The development, which will add additional products to the range and see all production facilities in house, is set to double turnover to around £10 million.

Established in 1974, the business operates in three sectors – food manufacturing, fruit growing and industrial warehousing/storage solutions – and is proud of its “farm to fork” approach.

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The funding has been used to renovate the onsite facilities, invest in equipment and take on 50 additional staff.

Further to and on the back of the long running successful business, the investment has enabled Davison Canners to expand their product range to include a new line of shelf ready, heat to eat desserts for both retail and food service sectors, both within the UK and the Irish Republic and globally.

Following the investment and launch of the new dessert range, the business has won contracts with several high profile retailers including Booths in the North of England and Aldi stores in both the UK and ROI.

The deal follows a previous funding package of £400,000 from HSBC in 2015 which was invested in a jam, compote and sauce manufacturing facility on site.

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“Our long relationship with HSBC has been integral to our steady growth and has enabled us to realise our ambitions in becoming a diverse supplier of quality food products and storage solutions to a wide customer base,” said Davison Canners joint managing director Alan Davison.

“Our orchards complement the food production that is now on site, we have full control over our products and the ability to innovate further.

“It provides us with a great opportunity to add further value to our initial product range of fruit compotes, fillings, jams and sauces, giving us complete control of our products from primary processing through to marketing and point of sale retailing.

“It has allowed for the increase and improvement in efficiency of the supply chain and we’re exploring more opportunities for growth and are excited about what the future will hold.”

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The business has seen steady growth over seven years and HSBC has supported the new contracts by doubling working capital facilities to £2.6 million, as part of the overall package of £3.1m which includes £500,000 of term funding.

Chris McQuay, deputy area director for Northern Ireland, said: “We’ve supported Davison Canners since 2010 and in this time we’ve seen rapid growth as the business expands and exports its products further afield.

“Through diversification, Davison Canners has opened up enormous channels for growth.

“It is an exciting and evolving business that is delivering quality products, making efficiencies and already reaping the rewards through winning additional contracts.”

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