Glanbia to shed staff as dairy brands struggle

Food giant Glanbia is to let a number of employees in its consumer brands division go as the company’s dairy brands struggle due to the economic conditions.

The consumer products business processes liquid milk into Avonmore milk, butter, and Kilmeaden cheese. It has been struggling due to costs and weak consumer demand.

Glanbia is to reorganise this division, which employs 650 people. There will be a number of job losses as the company seeks to reduce its cost base and reorientate the business. A spokesperson said there will be investment, and jobs created as well as redundancies.

A spokesperson said final details of the job cuts “have yet to emerge as it will be a blend of those who avail of consumer products’ voluntary redundancy programme or relocation and outsource job opportunities, and discussions with employees and their representatives”.

The spokesperson added: “The Dairy Ireland business segment continues to be impacted by the challenging Irish retail environment as well as high input costs due to sustained increases in global dairy market prices.

“As part of an ongoing programme of change, the consumer products business is to further evolve its business model and structure to ensure it remains competitive in the domestic market, while also positioning the business to explore opportunities in high-growth export markets.”

Glanbia plants in Drogheda, Kildare, and Clonmel are expected to be impacted, but the details on how many jobs will be shed have not yet been decided.