Greencore, the former Irish sugar company which is now a major producer of sandwiches and other convenience food for the UK and US markets, has announced a 13.5% increase in pretax profits to £78m for the year to September.

Group revenues rose by 5% to more than £1.3bn.

The company operates the largest single-site sandwich making facility in the world at Northampton in the UK, and Greencore says this business is growing so strongly it will invest £12m in commissioning a new manufacturing unit there next year.

The group has six manufacturing facilities in the US - with each housing between 200 and 480 staff.

It plans to open its first west coast manufacturing facility in Seattle in 2016.

Commenting on the results, CEO Patrick Coveney said "Greencore has had another strong year and our clear food to go led strategy has continued to drive growth in both the UK and US markets. 

"We increased our investment in major capacity and capability improvement projects during the year, in each case underpinned by long term customer relationships. Our strategy, momentum and pipeline of opportunities leave us well placed to deliver further progress in the 2016 financial year and beyond."