IAWS plans new €180m food centre

IAWS group is to create 130 jobs at a €180 million facility for its speciality foods business Cuisine de France in Clondalkin, Dublin.

IAWS said yesterday that the “centre of excellence” will be located in a 42,600sq metre facility on a 23-acre site within the Grange Castle Business Park.

The company said construction, scheduled for completion by 2008, will commence in the coming weeks with 100 workers.

The development was announced by Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister Micheál Martin, who said: “The centre of excellence, and in particular its R&D facility for product development, is a clear signal of Cuisine De France’s commitment to continuous innovation, new product development and increased competitiveness.” IAWS’s Hugo Keane said the investment signals the group’s intention to stay at the forefront of the industry.

“We will continue to innovate in the fast moving international ‘food to go’ sector providing new solutions of value to customers in the retail and food service sectors.

“We invest substantial sums on an ongoing basis in developing our products, facilities and food concepts. This new Centre of Excellence is a key part of this programme,” he said.

Mr Martin said the project represents one of the most significant projects ever undertaken by an Irish food company.

“Cuisine de France represents a new breed of highly successful indigenous companies that have successfully expanded from Ireland into leadership positions in international markets,” he added.

Mr Martin said the IAWS group’s achievement, in becoming a dynamic international business, skilled in product innovation, marketing and high quality production is truly outstanding.

“It exemplifies Enterprise Ireland’s knowledge, innovation and internationalisation,” the Mr said.