Food-to-go manufacturer Around Noon is set to open its sixth site, the latest investment facilitating its growth strategy.
The Northern Irish business confirmed the purchase of a 30,000 sq ft factory at the Slough Trading Estate, which it said would create 200 new jobs once operational. This would bring its total headcount to more than 1,000, it noted.
Around Noon recently acquired the North London-based Soho Sandwich Company, and revealed it has also secured a series of large contracts in the travel, foodservice, retail, and coffee sectors including supplying own-label sandwiches to M&S stores in Ireland.
Around Noon manufactures a range of products for airlines, coffee chains and caterers including chilled, hot, frozen and bakery items such as sandwiches and wraps. Having been founded in Newry over 30 years ago, its current annual revenue stands at more than £80m with a target of £100m in the coming years.
“We have grown our run rate at Around Noon in Slough from £4m per annum in 2018 to around £30m per annum today,” said Around Noon CEO Gareth Chambers, noting that the new factory would increase this to £50m.
“We now manufacture over 400,000 products per week at the existing Slough factory and we are really pleased to have secured additional premises at Slough Trading Estate to support our ongoing growth,” Chambers added.
The Slough Trading Estate is located around 25 miles from London and is home to a wide range of companies across multiple sectors including Mars, Ferrari, DHL, Lanes Group and UCB.
James Craddock, Thames Valley managing director at Segro – the owner, manager and developer of modern warehouses and industrial property – said the Around Noon investment had enabled it to retain and grow its diverse customer base on the Slough Trading Estate.
“Around Noon is a strong, growing business and we’re very pleased to have been able to accommodate them in this upgraded facility and enable their business growth, particularly at a time when the vacancy rate at Slough Trading Estate remains very low at 2.7%,” Craddock noted.
The new facility is said to be undergoing a major renovation in line with the developer’s ‘Responsible Segro’ commitment to champion low-carbon growth.
Sustainability features include an EPC rating of A+, with photovoltaic panels installed on the roof providing electricity to the premises with any excess fed back into the network grid. It will also install new energy efficient LED light fittings throughout, and water reducing products in the toilets.
Shower facilities will help encourage more employees to cycle to work, and electric vehicle charging points will be made available. The unit also have Smart meters installed throughout to help improve operational efficiency and enhance the working environment.
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