dairy, performance nutrition and ingredients group Glanbia, which is based in Ireland, is looking to capitalise on the growing demand for UHT produce in Asia by investing in two facilities.The group, which owns the Avonmore and Premier brands, will establish a new facility employing up to 40 people in County Monaghan, and through the expansion of its Dublin operations it hopes to create a further 50 jobs.
The Monaghan facility is expected to be operational by early 2014 and its range of products will include export versions of Glanbia’s Avonmore Milk.
Colin Gordon, chief executive officer of Glanbia Consumer Productstold the Irish Times that the "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."
It is understood that the focus of the products made at the Monaghan facility will be on emerging markets and China.
When talking to just-food.com, a spokesperson for Glanbia said that they "are exploring export opportunities in a number of markets. China is a major one. We already have a strong footprint and there is further interest."
Richard Bruton, Irish Minister for Enterprise told Independent.ie that the new jobs were "major boost for the sector and further evidence of what can be achieved right across the country".
"I am heartened to see the company set up its EMEA, head office, in Dublin for its Performance Nutrition business. This is a part of the dairy industry where Ireland and Glanbia are leaders,' said Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD.
