Co Down food manufacturer plans 130 new jobs as part of £19m investment
The company is also aiming to reduce food waste by as much as 50%, expand its heat-to-eat product range, and grow its business in supplying food to airlines.
Of the overall investment, £12.8m will be spent on increasing automation, while £6m will be used for upskilling current staff and hiring others.
The investment was announced during an event at Deli Lites' Warrenpoint facility on Thursday, which was attended by the Economy Minister.
Dr Caoimhe Archibald said: 'The North's food and drink processing sector is a true local success story, with latest statistics showing that it generates £6.5bn in sales and supports over 25,500 jobs across our towns and countryside.
'This investment will unlock significant growth opportunities for Deli Lites in this exciting sector.
'Increased capacity and new automated equipment will boost productivity and enable it to expand its fresh and frozen ranges, growing its sales in Britain and Ireland, and open up additional export markets.
'With 78% of our food and drink sold outside the North, this industry showcases the quality, innovation, and global appeal of what we produce right here at home.
'The creation of 130 new jobs in Warrenpoint, which will help leverage almost £10m in wages and salaries across the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area by 2027, is also good news as we work to deliver a more regionally balanced economy.'
Deli Lites was founded by husband and wife Brian and Jackie Reid in 1998. It makes sandwiches and other food-to-go products, with its customers including Aer Lingus, American Airlines, Applegreen and Costa Coffee.
CEO Brian Reid said: 'We are now an all-Ireland business with export sales growing in international markets.
'We've always been a trailblazer in our sector, shown when we became the first sandwich maker in the UK and Ireland to achieve B Corp certification.'
Jackie Reid, chief strategy officer, added: 'Bringing even more products to our snacking and convenience range and investing in production and automation will significantly increase our capacity and customer reach.
'We're delighted to be growing our team in Warrenpoint to bring further expertise into the business and help us achieve our vision, to transform how the world experiences food on the move.'
Deli Lites' investment is being backed by Invest NI's Agri-Food Investment Initiative, a £46m scheme designed to 'support local agri-food and drink processors to improve competitiveness and productivity'.
Gráinne Moody, director of food and drink at Invest NI, said: 'This significant project builds on our previous support for Deli Lites to develop its product range for the European market. Its success has positioned the company to become a key supplier for the global airlines sector.
'This new project will increase innovation and boost productivity by transforming labour-intensive processes and increasing digitalisation. Our overseas trade teams are also working with Deli Lites to explore new international markets as it grows.'
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