Pictured, L-R: Michael Cantwell, Enterprise Ireland; Bill O'Brien, Chairman, O'Brien Fine Foods; Minister Simon Coveney; John O'Brien, Managing Director, O'Brien Fine Foods
O’Brien Fine Foods has announced details of a €14m development at its ham processing facility in Timahoe, Co Kildare.
The announcement was officially welcomed by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, at the Co Kildare facility last week.
O’Brien Fine Foods is a leading producer of cooked meats under the Brady Family brand, and breakfast meats under the Rudds brand.
The planned 8,000 sq m expansion at the Timahoe facility – which is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through Enterprise Ireland – is expected to more than double operational capacity, creating an additional 40 full time jobs.
This will bring the total number of jobs at Timahoe from 270 to 310 over the next two years.
A further 150 jobs will be created during the construction phase.
John O’Brien, Managing Director at O’Brien Fine Foods, said: “It is our ambition to become the leading producer in the cooked meats sector and today’s announcement is an important step in this process.
“Not only will the investment in our facility significantly increase our operational capacity, but it will also improve our efficiency, expand our production capabilities to other proteins and positively impact our sustainability credentials.
“Most importantly, this is all underpinned by important job creation in the local area.”
Mr O’Brien also cited the company’s important relationship with Irish suppliers, saying:
“We have a strong track record in the cooked meats sector, and pride ourselves on producing 100% Irish, Bord Bia-approved pork products. We work with Irish suppliers with whom we have long-standing relationships. In today’s marketplace, we recognise that provenance and quality is of the utmost importance, which, in turn, drives growth and demand for our products.”
The announcement was welcomed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, said: “The food and drink industry has been a driving force in our economic recovery since 2009. I am delighted to welcome continued growth in this important sector with family businesses like O’Brien Fine Foods contributing to the growth of this, our most valuable indigenous industry, with their own ambitious expansion plans.
“Brady Family Ham has been in business for almost 40 years, and produced on this site in Co Kildare for over 30. The company is an important part of the local community, as well as a significant employer in the local area. I welcome the additional employment that this development will create, and am delighted to see the business go from strength to strength.”
As well as being a significant employer in the area, O’Brien Fine Foods are very active in the local community, sponsoring Kildare GAA county hurling and football teams.
The expansion at Timahoe is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through Enterprise Ireland.
CEO Julie Sinnamon said: “Companies in the food sector can make a significant impact in a relatively short period of time with expansion into export markets; a key impact of this is job creation in local communities. This is what O’Brien Fine Foods have achieved and I would like to congratulate them on this new investment at Timahoe. Enterprise Ireland will continue to work with the company and the wider food sector to develop overseas business and, ultimately, create further employment in Ireland.”
The Timahoe facility produces both Brady Family and own label cooked meats for the delicatessen and pre-packed markets. Construction at the facility has commenced, with work expected to be completed in June 2016.
The company currently employs a total of 325 people between its facilities in Timahoe, Co Kildare and Birr, Co Offaly
