Golden Vale plans to further expand high-growth Northern Ireland operations, beginning with its Saint Brendan's cream liqueur division this year.

Mr Jim Murphy, managing director of the dairy to food products group, said it had seen a strong return on its investment in the North to date and was pleased with how each of its six plants there had performed in the first half of this year.

Golden Vale employs more than 760 people in Northern Ireland where it is one of the largest milk processors.

The group also operates a cheese manufacturing facility, a cream liqueur plant, a milk powder division, a natural cheese and butter plant and a new convenience food facility that recently opened in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh.

Mr Murphy said a recent review of its Northern Ireland operations showed they were delivering continuous growth and warranted further investment.

"All of the businesses are delivering continuous growth. We are investing in Saint Brendan's this year because it is our policy to carry on investing in good businesses," Mr Murphy said, adding that sales of the liqueur were up 7 per cent in the United States this year.

Golden Vale yesterday officially opened its latest £11.3 million sterling (#18.2 million) investment in the North at Dairy Produce Packers in Coleraine. The group has established a new research and development centre that could grow the workforce to more than 300 people over the next two to three years.

The company employs 270 people in the production of cheese slices for McDonald's and other international customers.

Mr Murphy said the investment at the plant would be a springboard for new products.

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Sir Reg Empey, who opened the plant, said he believed Golden Vale's investment would help safeguard the long-term future of the company, which he said was important to both the local and regional economy.