Glanbia, the global performance nutrition and ingredients group, is to create 90 jobs in Monaghan and Dublin. Th group, which owns the Avonmore and Premier brands, will establish a new facility employing up to 40 people in Monaghan, with the other jobs accounted for by the expansion of its Dublin operation.
In Monaghan, Glanbia will build a new UHT (Ultra-Heat-Treated) facility to produce long-life liquid milk and cream suitable for export to emerging markets such as China, Europe and the Middle East. The facility is expected to be operational by early 2014 and will employ up to 40 people and its range of products will includ export versions of Glanbia’s Avonmore Milk.
The announcement follows increased collaboration between Irish and Chinese Government Officials. China is active in seeking sustainable sources of quality dairy produce globally, to meet its growing domestic demand for dairy.
Colin Gordon, chief executive officer of Glanbia Consumer Products said: "This new state of the art UHT facility is a key part of our strategy to develop an international business for Irish liquid milk and cream products. There is a strong business case for this investment and we have had an excellent response from potential customers, globally."
Glanbia Global Performance Nutrition will locate its Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA) head office in Dublin to support the international growth of its leading sports nutrition brand family. This development combined with a number of new positions being created in global ingredients and global business services, will create an additional 50 skilled jobs to be located in new offices in Dublin.
Welcoming the announcement, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton said that it is a "major boost for the sector and further evidence of what can be achieved right across the country."
Earlier this year the group disclosed that it was engaging in a rationalisation programme in Ireland “to improve its competitiveness in the domestic market”. This involved the initiation of a voluntary redundancy programme, with staff at three Glanbia sites – Drogheda, Co Louth; Ballitore, Co Kildare; and Citywest, Dublin - expected to be impacted.
