Glanbia Cheese – the joint venture business of Glanbia and Leprino Foods – has announced plans to build a new €130 million mozzarella production facility in Portlaoise, Ireland.
Glanbia says that the new facility will have a production capacity of 45,000 tonnes of mozzarella annually, which will allow the company to provide bespoke cheese solutions for its European customers.
Construction of the facility will begin later this year if the company receives planning application for the factory, and Glanbia estimates that new facility would begin production in 2020.
The project is supported by the government of Ireland through the Enterprise Ireland scheme, and approximately 78 jobs will be created at the facility.
Siobhán Talbot, group managing director of Glanbia said: “We are pleased to announce plans to build this new facility for Glanbia Cheese. Our partnership with Leprino Foods has been very successful for both partners to date and we are very positive about the potential of this new venture.
“We have worked closely with Enterprise Ireland on this project and are very appreciative of their support and commitment. We now look forward to moving the project on to its next phase.”
Mike Durkin, president of Leprino Foods added: “This new plant in Portlaoise is an exciting project that will not only expand our thriving partnership with Glanbia, but will take advantage of our combined experience, knowledge and strengths to build a state-of-the-art facility to meet consumer demand for mozzarella cheese.
“It also reflects a desire to increase our presence and benefit from having a facility that is in close proximity to the growing European markets.”
Julie Sinnamon, CEO Enterprise Ireland said: “Today’s announcement is one of the largest new name Food FDI projects secured for Ireland by Enterprise Ireland in recent times.
“Enterprise Ireland is responsible for attracting Foreign Direct Investment from the global food industry into Ireland and we are delighted to support this significant investment project which was won for Ireland and Laois against strong competition from many other locations.”
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