Green Isle Foods invest €22.6m in Naas expansion
Minister Martin announces 130 new Enterprise Ireland supported jobs
"New product underpinned by research" - Minister Martin
Mr Micheál Martin, Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment today (January 13th, 2005) announced a major €22.6 million expansion investment by Green Isle Foods Ltd at their plant in Naas, Co. Kildare. The development which is due to begin production in Autumn 2005, is supported by Enterprise Ireland and will lead to the creation of 130 new jobs from a current base at Naas of approximately 630.
Speaking at the Green Isle plant in Naas Minister Martin said: "The importance of Research and Development in driving new jobs, sales and exports is clearly demonstrated in this project. Following extensive market research, Green Isle, with the assistance of an Enterprise Ireland Research Technology and Innovation (RTI) grant, committed R & D funding to investigate expanded pizza production and enhanced manufacturing processes. That research commitment has led to a major expansion which will generate projected sales of €35m and exports of €23.5m over the next five years. The challenge of winning new sales in highly competitive global markets cannot be underestimated. Growing productivity and controlling costs will be critical in achieving and sustaining the competitiveness needed to win such ambitious international sales".
"Green Isle secured this investment amid strong competition. The expansion copper-fastens Green Isle as the centre of excellence for pizza production in the Northern Foods Group. I congratulate Enterprise Ireland for its role in securing this project for Ireland and Naas. The pizza production facility is state of the art technology and is evidence of the ambition and vision of Green Isle's management and the dedication and commitment of its staff". Minister Martin added.
Welcoming the announcement by Minister Martin, Frank Ryan, Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Ireland said: "Green Isle's success to date can be attributed to a continual investment in capital, R&D, product innovation, brand development and customer service. The company has a well established and highly innovative sales and marketing strategy, a factor which will be important in delivering the sales and exports arising from this expansion".
Managing Director of Green Isle Foods, Kieran Carolan, concludes: "This is an ambitious expansion by Green Isle Foods and was secured against strong competition for investment within Northern Foods. We wish to acknowledge the contributions of Enterprise Ireland and Kildare County Council in making this investment happen. I would personally like to thank our management and staff whose dedication and focus has ensured that this investment has taken place within Ireland and not overseas. This fact should not be underestimated given the aggressive cost increases facing Irish based industries and the very challenging environment in which Irish companies operate. This is an exciting development and we have every confidence in the continued growth of the business".
For further information contact:
Kathleen Quinlan
Enterprise Ireland
Ph: 087-9691680
Photo to follow from Fennell Photography
Notes for Editors
- The development will see the construction of a new bakery and the fit out of this facility as well as some capital expenditure on the existing topping and packing line, which has spare capacity.
- Established in 1982, Green Isle was acquired by Northern Foods in 1996. Northern Foods operates in the chilled convenience foods, frozen foods and biscuits sectors.
- Pizza accounts for 65% of Green Isle's turnover. There are 2 facilities in Naas and one in Longford. Product is sold primarily under the Goodfellas and San Marco brands. Green Isle is the leading player in the UK and Irish frozen pizza markets. Some 75% of the Goodfellas product is exported, mainly to the UK.
ENDS/ETE 1299
Last modified: 13/01/2005
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