Walsh Family Foods set to boost staff numbers following acquisition

Spice Burger manufacturer Walsh Family Foods is expected to expand its Dublin staffing levels following its acquisition by the European arm of US food group Keystone Foods.

As part of the transaction, Keystone Foods has also acquired all of Walsh’s intellectual property and patents, and expects to continue to market all of the Dublin firm’s current name brands. The most famous of these is the Spice Burger, which it will continue to market, as well as developing new products for the Irish and pan-European markets.

Pennsylvania-based Keystone is to retain all 21 staff at the facility in Finglas, Co Dublin. The sale, for an undisclosed sum, was handled by KPMG, who were appointed as receiver to the business back in 2009.

Kieran Wallace of KPMG said: “Walsh Family Foods is a fine company, with excellent brands and food processing know-how. The acquisition gives Keystone Foods an immediate boost to its strategic growth plans in Europe. This is an exciting development for Walsh Family Foods.

“The acquisition by such a respected global player bodes well for the future success of the operation and its employees,” he added.

Currently expanding its product portfolio and processing activities in Europe, Keystone is likely to create further jobs at the Walsh facility.

Keystone is part of Brazilian group Marfrig, which recently launched an Asian distribution arm in partnership with the Chinese state-owned food corporation COFCO.

Keystone Foods’ global strategy is to grow its proteins-processing capacity in key markets around the world.

Walsh Family Foods will help Keystone Foods to broaden its food processing business in Europe, and to deliver an enhanced entry into Europe’s retail and food services market.

Keystone also plans to develop new products for existing clients in Ireland, and will also use its network in Europe to export Walsh Family Food products.

Established in the 1950s by Maurice Walsh, Walsh Family Foods also produces chilled hand held snacks, frozen crispy garlic mushrooms and tempura-coated natural onion rings. The Finglas company also markets a range of chicken and other appetiser products.

Keystone Foods is a global supplier of protein products, serving the quick service restaurant industry and various other market channels. Keystone Foods has more than 13,000 employees and operates 55 locations in 13 countries.