Foods Connected To Create 45 New Jobs

Londonderry-based software as a service (SaaS) firm, Foods Connected, is investing heavily in its business as it seeks to target new export markets. The investment will lead to the creation of 45 new, well-paid roles.

Foods Connected provides SaaS-based tools to help food-based companies manage their complex supply chains. It has developed a total of 25 different modules in key areas such as supplier compliance, food safety & quality, specifications & NPD, traceability, and procurement & supply chain.

Roger McCracken, managing director at Foods Connected, said: “We set up the business 10 years ago with just three people. We now employ 71, including nine in Australia, and with this latest investment plan to grow to a total of 116 employees by the end of 2023.

“In 2020 the senior management team took part in Invest NI’s Ambition to Scale programme which really helped us clarify our future direction for the business and set in place clear strategic targets. These include developing our software solutions, growing our export markets and developing our business as a great place to work. These 45 new roles, which will all be based in Derry, will help us realise these targets.”

Lufthansa Arrives At Belfast City Airport

Germany’s flag carrier airline, Lufthansa, has announced it will commence operations at Belfast City Airport.

The airline, which is one of Europe’s largest, is entering the Northern Irish market for the first time and will operate flights from Belfast City Airport to Frankfurt, Germany, from 23 April 2023. This will be the only direct air link between Northern Ireland and Germany.

Katy Best, commercial director at Belfast City Airport, commented:

“Attracting an airline such as Lufthansa to Northern Ireland that will provide the only route from the region to Germany is a major win for not only the airport, but the wider tourism and business industry.

“With Germany being the third-largest market for overseas tourism to the island of Ireland, there is a clear demand for direct connectivity.”

Flights to Frankfurt with Lufthansa will operate up to four times a week, giving both leisure and business passengers exceptional choice and convenience when travelling to the global hub.”