Glanbia to cut more than 60 jobs

More than 60 jobs are to be axed at a leading food firm, it emerged tonight.

Glanbia, which produces a third of the country’s milk and cheese, said the redundancies in its loss-making ingredients sector were part of a major cost-slashing plan.

Around 55 positions are to be cut from the company’s plant in Ballyragget, Co Kilkenny with just under 10 workers also expected to go in Virginia, Co Cavan.

Glanbia said the jobs blow came after increased investment in automation at the firm and the crash in the global dairy market.

“This current loss-making position is not sustainable for Glanbia Ingredients Ireland or for our milk suppliers,” chief executive Jim Bergin said.

“In light of this we undertook a strategic review with the twin objectives of sustaining our competitive position and to take advantage of commercial opportunities as they arise.”

Mr Bergin said new flexible work arrangements would be put in place in addition to the redundancies at both plants.

“We are consulting with the employee representatives on the details of this plan which is designed to secure the remaining 500 jobs in the business, to support and retain our 4,500 farmer suppliers and to enable us to continue to service our customer base and grow the business for the future,” he added.

Glanbia formed in 1997 out of a merger between Avonmore Foods and Waterford Foods.

Over the past 12 years the company has expanded into the rest of Europe, USA and China with joint ventures in the UK, USA and Nigeria. It currently employs 4,300 staff worldwide.