Glanbia plc, recently announced two new investments in Ireland which will create 40 jobs in Monaghan and 50 in Dublin. Glanbia Consumer Products, owner of the Avonmore and Premier brands, will build a new UHT (Ultra-Heat-Treated) facility to produce long-life liquid milk and cream suitable for export to emerging markets such as China, Europe and the Middle East. The new facility in Monaghan is expected to be operational by early 2014 and will employ up to 40 people. It will manufacture a range of standard and fortified UHT milk and cream products, including export versions of Glanbia’s market dairy leading brand, Avonmore Milk.

The announcement follows increased collaboration between Irish and Chinese Government Officials, with recent visits to China by both An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, and Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney. China is active in seeking sustainable sources of quality dairy produce globally, to meet its growing domestic demand for dairy.

This investment is being supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through Enterprise Ireland and the Department of Agriculture and Food.

In other corporate developments, Glanbia Global Performance Nutrition is locating its Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA) head office in Dublin to support the international growth of its leading sports nutrition brand family. Glanbia Global Performance Nutrition is a €700 million global business. This development combined with a number of new positions being created in Global Ingredients and Global business services, will create an additional 50 skilled jobs to be located in new offices in Dublin.

Colin Gordon, Chief Executive Officer of Glanbia Consumer Products commented on the announcement saying: “This new state of the art UHT facility is a key part of our strategy to develop an international business for Irish liquid milk and cream products. There is a strong business case for this investment and we have had an excellent response from potential customers, globally.”