UP to eight new jobs are to be created at a major food distribution company as it expands its operations serving the Asian community in Northern Ireland.
Announced to coincide with the Chinese New Year today, the new posts have been created by Musgrave MarketPlace as it aims to further develop its Asian business network across the province.
In the last two years, Musgrave has invested a significant amount of time and money in researching and developing a genuine product and food service offering for the Asian community in Ireland.
That research has proven invaluable and since the launch of the service in September 2010 the company has enjoyed a 133 per cent growth in sales within this market and aims to increase this by a further 25 per cent in 2012.
An innovative approach to product selection guarantees the authenticity of Musgrave’s Asian products which are directly sourced and shipped from the Far East.
They also provide ‘real expertise’ to this market through their dedicated Asian Business Development Manager, Tommy Yeung.
A native of Hong Kong, Mr Yeung is well-known within the Asian community through his work with the Sai Pak Chinese Welfare Society, and his family own a Chinese restaurant in Ballykelly, giving him first hand experience of what customers need and expect from Musgrave.
“I am very passionate about my role and enjoy helping people within the Asian community in Northern Ireland,” he said.
“Taking the time to conduct intensive market research has helped us to streamline our approach in servicing the Asian community with authentic products, unbeatable prices, real expertise – which is all summed up in our brand pillars, First for Value, First for Choice and First for Service.”
The Musgrave Group currently supports over 3,300 retail stores in the UK, Ireland and Spain.
The wholesale division in Northern Ireland operates six depots including Belfast (Duncrue and Crumlin Road), Londonderry, Ballymena, Enniskillen and Lurgan, employs over 300 people and has an annual turnover of £130m.
“As a company, we respect the needs of our Asian customers and are committed to developing our customer base and ensuring that we always offer the best products and prices to meet their needs,” added Mr Yeung.
“This involves continually expanding our supplier network in the Far East and strengthening our dedicated Asian sales team in 2012 for roles within head office, regional branches and on the road.”