400 construction jobs to be created by Kerry Group
800 jobs and 400 construction jobs to be created by Kerry Group in Government-supported investment – Minister Bruton, Minister Coveney
Enterprise Ireland Backs Ireland’s Largest Single Food Innovation Investment Ever
Kerry Group today [Tuesday] announced the establishment of an industry-leading global technology and innovation centre in Ireland.
The €100m investment, which will create 800 jobs, as well as 400 immediate construction jobs, will be part-funded by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through Enterprise Ireland. The new flagship global technology and customer innovation centre will serve as a key focal point for Kerry’s customer engagement activities providing strategic customers with access to the Group’s complete breadth and depth of technologies, scientific research, innovation and applications expertise across food, beverage and pharmaceutical markets.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has also had a central involvement in supporting this investment.
Welcoming the announcement, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mr Richard Bruton TD said:
“As I have said before, central to the Government’s plans for jobs and growth is creating a powerful engine of indigenous enterprise. We must not only continue to deepen and develop the impact of the very important multinational sector, but also crucially support Irish companies who are seeking to expand their presence in export markets and become world-leaders in their field. I commend Enterprise Ireland on their excellent work on this project.
“This historic announcement by Kerry Group, that it is investing €100million in developing a Global Technology and Innovation Centre with the creation of 900 permanent and 400 temporary construction jobs, is great news for the Irish economy. This is the largest single investment in food innovation ever by a company in Ireland, and puts Ireland firmly at the forefront of global food innovation. The fact that this is the work of an Irish company will help raise the ambitions of other Irish companies to become world-leaders in their own fields. Through implementation of the Action Plan for Jobs I am determined to continue improving supports to Irish enterprises so that we can see more businesses aiming high and creating the jobs we need”.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD said:
“Today is a phenomenal announcement and is perhaps the most significant investment ever in the Irish Agri Food industry. Not only is this an announcement of 800 high end jobs, but it is the proof that the agri food sector can be central to rebuilding the Irish economy. Kerry Group are Ireland’s largest Agri food and food innovation company. They employ 24,000 people around the world. This investment is a statement of confidence in the Irish economy and in the quality of Irish food science graduates to deliver food innovation in the most modern facility of its type on the planet. The agri food and food innovation sector will continue to provide positivity and optimism in the Irish economy. The leadership that Kerry have shown with this project is testament to their commitment to this country”
CEO of Enterprise Ireland Frank Ryan added:
“Food is Ireland’s number one export sector and critically important to our economy and to export-led growth. This centre will be one of the world’s most advanced food innovation facilities. It will underpin Ireland’s world-wide reputation in food innovation and secure our standing as a world leader in the food industry.
“Enterprise Ireland is proud to support this significant investment by Kerry Group. It represents tremendous vision and determination on the part of the company’s management team to bring a project of this scale to fruition.
“The Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of An Taoiseach and Enterprise Ireland have all worked intensively with the Kerry Group to deliver this major project for Ireland.”
Located on a 28 acre site in the Millennium Business Park, Naas [adjacent to the M7 and M50 Dublin motorways] Kerry Group will invest €100 million in the new campus which will accommodate 800 people in 2015 and a further 100 positions when fully commissioned by mid-2016. The new Kerry Global Technology & Innovation Centre will also include Kerry Ingredients & Flavours global and EMEA regional management, 1 Kerry Global Business Services and support functions. The new flagship global technology and customer innovation centre will serve as a key focal point for Kerry’s customer engagement activities providing strategic customers with access to the Group’s complete breadth and depth of technologies, scientific research, innovation and applications expertise across food, beverage and pharmaceutical markets.