Ireland
UK
Scotland
London
Kerry Group today announced the establishment of an industry-leading global technology and innovation centre in Ireland.
The €100m investment, which will create 800 jobs, as well as 400 immediate construction jobs, will be part-funded by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through Enterprise Ireland. The new flagship global technology and customer innovation centre will serve as a key focal point for Kerry’s customer engagement activities providing strategic customers with access to the Group’s complete breadth and depth of technologies, scientific research, innovation and applications expertise across food, beverage and pharmaceutical markets.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has also had a central involvement in supporting this investment.
Welcoming the announcement, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mr Richard Bruton TD said: "As I have said before, central to the Government’s plans for jobs and growth is creating a powerful engine of indigenous enterprise. We must not only continue to deepen and develop the impact of the very important multinational sector, but also crucially support Irish companies who are seeking to expand their presence in export markets and become world-leaders in their field. I commend Enterprise Ireland on their excellent work on this project.
"This historic announcement by Kerry Group, that it is investing €100million in developing a Global Technology and Innovation Centre with the creation of 900 permanent and 400 temporary construction jobs, is great news for the Irish economy. This is the largest single investment in food innovation ever by a company in Ireland, and puts Ireland firmly at the forefront of global food innovation. The fact that this is the work of an Irish company will help raise the ambitions of other Irish companies to become world-leaders in their own fields. Through implementation of the Action Plan for Jobs I am determined to continue improving supports to Irish enterprises so that we can see more businesses aiming high and creating the jobs we need."
(CD)
