Largo Foods to close Gaeltacht plant

Largo Foods, which employs 140 people in Co Donegal, is to close its local operation.

Workers at the Gaoth Dobhair plant, which makes a range of snacks including Sam Spudz crisps, were told of the decision yesterday.

The company plans to move all its operations to its main plant in Ashbourne, Co Meath.

It is understood that 70 employees will be given the option of moving to work in the Co Meath plant. However, many workers with young families have already ruled out the move.

Údarás na Gaeltachta said it was very disappointed at the announcement.

Largo Foods currently employs 110 people on a full-time basis and 30 part- time at the manufacturing facility in the Gaoth Dobhair Business Park.

Largo says it made its decision based on a strategic review by the company of its manufacturing sites in Ireland and Britain, which focused on the need to consolidate its operations, reduce its overall costs, and to allow it to operate sustainably in a very competitive snack-food market.

Currently, 85% of the products made in Gaoth Dobhair are exported.

Competition in the snack market has intensified in the last decade, and in the past five years the company has attempted to introduce new high-value-added products in Gaoth Dobhair to sustain its operations there, but with limited success.

Údarás na Gaeltachta has supported and worked closely with Largo Foods group companies in the last 18 years since they were established in Gaoth Dobhair.

“We very much regret the implications that this proposal will have for Largo Foods’ employees in Gaoth Dobhair. An tÚdarás will prioritise its efforts and put in place a strategic marketing drive in a bid to attract new investment and employment opportunities to the Gaoth Dobhair Business Park,” said a spokesman.