More than 40 jobs to be created at expansion of baby food plant

Up to 45 jobs are to be created in the Danone Baby Nutrition plant in Wexford.

The jobs have come as a result of a €20m investment in the plant, supported by the Government through Enterprise Ireland.

Construction on the facility’s expansion has been underway since March and is scheduled to be completed by Jan 2013.

Up to 120 people have also been employed in the construction of this facility, which will double the plant’s capacity to 70,000 tonnes annually in finished products including brands such as Aptamil and Cow & Gate.

The announcement was made yesterday by Richard Bruton, the jobs minister, who said the investment was part of the Government’s plans to dramatically increase employment in the manufacturing sector.

“Building and developing our manufacturing industries is a key part of the Government’s plans for jobs and growth, and we have committed to achieving a net increase of 20,000 in the number of people at work in this sector by 2016.

“Today’s announcement that Danone, a world-leading company in this particular sector, is investing €20m in its Wexford manufacturing plant and creating 45 jobs is a real endorsement of the quality of our agriculture and our industry, and is great news for the South-East.

“I welcome the continued support from Danone and look forward to building on this announcement in the years to come.”

This investment will add to the €50m that has already been invested in the company’s other Irish plant in Macroom, Co Cork.

The managing director of Danone Ireland, Donal Courtney, said he was delighted with the company’s expansion.

“I would like to recognise the continued support from the Government and its agencies, particularly Enterprise Ireland.

“This additional commitment builds on the €50m investment announced for Macroom last year.

“The combined expansion of both sites makes Ireland a very strategic location for the Danone Group and one that is playing a significant role in the continued growth and success of the company.”

The operations director for Danone Baby Nutrition, Donal Dennehy, said the expansion also marked a considerable boost for the farming industry.

“In addition to the creation of 45 new jobs and the jobs created during construction phase, I am delighted that the expansion of our production is having a significant impact on the farming community throughout Ireland.

“The quality of product consistently delivered to Danone by the local farming community is a key strength when we compete for new investment here in Ireland.”