40 new jobs announced in €50m expansion of Danone operations in Cork

Infant milk producer Danone Baby Nutrition has announced a €50m investment programme at its manufacturing facility in Macroom, Co Cork.

The investment will fund an expansion and redevelopment of the existing facility and create about 40 new jobs in Macroom in the areas of food science, engineering and supply chain management.

Building will start on February. The expansion will result in a trebling of capacity to 100,000 tonnes annually, as a result of the creation of a new drying line at the facility. 98% of the output from Macroom will be exported and commercialized in more than 60 countries worldwide.

In a statement, Danone said: "Consistent growth of Danone Baby Nutrition's infant and toddler formulas, such as Aptamil, has resulted in the need to invest to increase capacity."

Information note: Danone in Ireland is comprised of Danone Baby Nutrition, Danone Dairy Ireland and Nutricia Advanced Medical Nutrition.

A total of 350 people are directly employed by the group in Ireland with at least 375 people employed indirectly through out-sourcing of logistical services, merchandising and sales.

Today’s investment will increase the direct employment number by approximately 35. Danone manufactures products for the Baby Nutrition business in Macroom in Cork and in Wexford Town.

Danone Baby Nutrition products sold in Ireland include Cow & Gate and Aptamil. Its facilities at Macroom and Wexford are also responsible for the production of products such as Nutrilon and Almiron which are sold in markets across the globe.