Golden Vale to create 30 Northern jobs

More than 30 jobs are to be created in Coleraine as part of a £11m expansion of Golden Vale’s processed cheese plant, it was announced today.

The company has designated the Co Derry facility as a "Centre of Excellence" within the group and established its R&D centre there as part of the expansion.

The plant, which manufactures processed cheese slices for the European food service and retail markets, is the largest supplier in Europe of cheese to burger giant McDonald’s.

Opening the 6,000 sq metre plant, Stormont Enterprise Minister Reg Empey said: "Golden Vale is creating the most technologically advanced and efficient cheese processing company here in Coleraine.

"The new Centre of Excellence will be unrivalled in Europe and will secure the long term future of the company within an operation which is of utmost importance to the local and regional economy."

The minister said the 270 workforce would grow to over 300 in the next couple of years.

The company was offered £2.9m financial assistance for the expansion by the Industrial Development Board.