Finnebrogue Artisan, an Irish bacon and sausage producer, has announced that it will be opening a new vegetarian and vegan facility at its site in County Down, Northern Ireland.
The business has been making meat-free products since 2016, but with the demand for plant-based food increasing, the designated production facility has coincided with a ‘significant’ upscaling of the company’s meat-free products.
Speaking about the new site, managing director at Finnebrogue, Brian McMongale, said: “Finnebrogue has always prided itself on providing consumers delicious, innovative products – and given the increasing demand for vegan and vegetarian alternatives – this new factor was the obvious next step in our extraordinary growth.”
He continued: “We are determined not to stand still and are always looking to make food the best it can possibly be, without being bound by the way it’s always been done. More and more people are switching to a vegan diet – and even meat eaters are increasingly seeking a day or two off a week.”
Finnebrogue has become one of the fastest growing food manufacturers in the UK – in 2009 they saw a £5 million turnover, and almost £90 million in 2018/19. The opening of the new factory is expected to generate a further £30 million in sales, once at full capacity.
The plant-based factory opening is expected to bring 90 jobs to the area, too.