T Morrow & Sons To Expand Its Portfolio

Bessbrook-based T Morrow & Sons is being assisted by Invest Northern Ireland to expand its sales and portfolio of cut flowers in the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain.

The company specialises in the production of all-year-round flower crops for retail multiples in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland and currently sells 90 per cent of its output to clients in these markets.

Assistance to grow its business further in these markets was announced by Maynard Mawhinney, Invest NI’s Food and Tourism Director, during a visit to the company, which has been in business since 1938. During the visit he was briefed about its growth plans by David Morrow, the owner and managing director since 1987.

The business employs seven people and operates from a 10 acre site outside Bessbrook, Co Armagh which includes seven greenhouses and a number of packing houses.

Mr Mawhinney said: "This is a progressive company with a successful track record of sales outside Northern Ireland and is an excellent example of an entrepreneurial business with a sharp focus on exports.

"Our assistance has enabled the company to strengthen its marketing team and activities including participation in trade shows, particularly in Great Britain, and also to secure the important British Ornamental Plant Producers (BOPP) quality accreditation being required by multiple retailers in particular. We provided financial support and guidance to help the company achieve BOPP accreditation.

"BOPP certification assures buyers that the company's produce is of a high quality, meeting legal and environmental requirements. The BOPP Standard is a UKAS accredited Scheme based on the British Retail Consortium Standards. In addition, the company is streamlining its production systems to increase efficiency, reduce waste and thereby to strengthen its overall competitiveness."

Products grown by the company include lilies, antirrhinum, tulips, scented stock, gladioli and bloom chrysanthemum. The flowers are cut, rested, wrapped, labelled and packed in sleeves for retail. Around 90 per cent of the produce is exported, transported to established customers in the Republic of Ireland and in Britain.