Green Isle Foods Limited to Invest €5.2m with Support from Enterprise Ireland

70 New Jobs to Be Created at Green Isle Portumna Co. Galway

Today (31 March 2008) Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin T.D. announced that Green Isle Foods Ltd, part of Northern Foods plc is to invest €5.2 million in new job creation, training, and management development. This investment, with support from Enterprise Ireland, will lead to the creation of 70 new jobs over the next three years at its frozen pastry business, based in Portunmna Co. Galway. These jobs are comprised of direct production, production management and support roles.

Today’s announcement comes as a result of the recent acquisition of the business and certain assets of the RHM Frozen Pastry business in the UK from Premier Foods Ltd by Green Isle Foods. The acquisition includes well known RHM pastry brands including the Upper Crust and Tiffany brands, as well as the licence to produce frozen pastry products under the McDougalls brand.

Making the announcement Minister Martin said:

“Green Isle’s success to date can be attributed to continual investments in capital, research & development, product and brand innovation and customer service. This major €5.2 million investment, supported by Enterprise Ireland, will lead to the creation of 70 new jobs at the company over the next three years. The investment is a strong signal as to the competitiveness and future potential of Ireland as a location for value-added food production.”

Commenting on the Investment Garry Walsh, Managing Director Green Isle Foods said:

“In the very competitive UK frozen pastry market, the acquisition of these assets and trade marks by Green Isle allows us to consolidate our business and compete more effectively. The acquisition, which will result in an additional 70 jobs, also allows us to make more efficient use of our site in Portumna.”

Commenting on the announcement Dick Lenehan, Head of the Food Division at Enterprise Ireland said:

“The decision by Green Isle to expand its Portumna plant will secure its strategic position as the manufacturing centre of excellence for frozen pastry within the Northern Foods Group, and provide a viable platform for future development.”

Headquartered in Naas, Co. Kildare, Green Isle produces a range of branded frozen foods and employs over 1,100 people in Ireland with operations in Naas Co. Kildare, Portumna Co. Galway, Longford and Gurteen Co. Sligo. Green Isle is renowned for brand development with its Irish made ‘Goodfella’s’ frozen pizza now commanding 30% of all frozen pizza retail sales in the UK.