On Friday 29th June, the Irish Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD, publicly announced Volac’s investment of €3.3 million to create a new purpose-built finishing and packing facility near Kells, Co. Meath to produce milk replacers in Ireland. It’s development will create sixteen new manufacturing jobs and these will be supported by the Irish government through Enterprise Ireland.
This facility will allow us to source selected Irish raw materials to supplement fat-filled Imunopro whey protein bases supplied by Felinfach, Wales. The new facility in Mullagh will enable us to better meet the needs of our milk replacer customers in the Irish and overseas markets as these continue to grow.
Minister Humphreys TD, stated: “Volac’s investment in a new finishing and packaging facility with the creation of 16 new jobs supported by the Government, through Enterprise Ireland, is welcome news for Mullagh, Kells and the surrounding areas. Driving job creation in the regions is a priority for the Government and this investment is good news for the local economy. Ireland’s agri-food industry is part of our heritage and, combined with our reputation for strategic innovative activity and ease of doing business, we are well-positioned to attract foreign direct investment in the area. I am committed to ensuring we have the right conditions and supports in place to enhance any opportunities for job creation in the regions.”
David Neville from Volac commented: “In 2008, Volac purchased the Golden Maverick brand portfolio, Ireland’s leading range of animal milk replacers. Since then the Irish milk replacer market has seen fantastic growth which we expect to continue in line with the ambitions of the Irish dairy industry.
The investment which we announce today reflects Volac’s confidence in the growing demand for milk replacer in both Irish and export markets. We look forward to continuing our close working relationship with Enterprise Ireland”.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD also added: “The food and drink sectors are strategically important to Ireland’s economic future and our exports are world renowned. Volac’s investment in Meath is very welcome, reflecting Ireland’s excellent track record in the agri-food sector in general, and expertise in dairy nutrition in particular. “
