Dodds praises Kerry Group commitment to Northern Ireland

Economy Minister Nigel Dodds praised Kerry Group for their commitment to the food processing industry in Northern Ireland.

Kerry Group’s 19-member Board, led by Chairman Denis Buckley and Chief Executive Hugh Friel, were on a two day trip to Northern Ireland to visit some of Kerry Group’s six facilities here.

Welcoming the Board to Parliament Buildings, Mr Dodds said: “Kerry Group is a driving force for innovation and exports in the food processing business. The industry has immense potential for faster growth through additional employment, particularly in predominantly rural areas of Northern Ireland.

“The Group’s influence on the development of the industry is far reaching and ranges from meat and convenience foods to dairy products, especially for markets outside Northern Ireland. We want to build on the company’s existing successes and work with the Group on initiatives that will further develop its operations here.”

Kerry Group has 140 manufacturing facilities across five continents employing over 23,000 people worldwide and it currently employs in excess of 800 people in their six plants in Northern Ireland.

The Minister continued: “The food industry is already making an important contribution to the local economy. Almost 450 food companies had sales of £2.5 billion in 2005 – 18.9 per cent of Northern Ireland’s total manufacturing sales. Food contributes around 15 per cent of sales outside Northern Ireland and is our third biggest manufacturing exporter. Some 19,000 people, that’s almost a fifth of our manufacturing workforce, are employed in processing plants operating to internationally recognised hygiene standards.

“Assisting the growth of the industry is a strategic priority for Invest Northern Ireland which has a dedicated food team with an extensive programme of support activities. In addition to providing food companies with greater marketing opportunities, such as ‘meet the buyer’ type events, the team is helping in other key areas including new product development, design, management and sales training, and packaging.

“Indeed, the most extensive food marketing campaign ever undertaken in Northern Ireland is now being spearheaded by Invest NI in association with local companies and other bodies including the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) within the strategic framework of the ‘Fit for Market’ report of 2004. This is an excellent example of joined up government working to the benefit of local food companies.

“A result of this strategic approach is a very sharp focus on the industry’s needs and a closely co-ordinated and targeted delivery of services tailored to the requirements of individual companies,” he concluded.

Notes to Editors:

1. Kerry’s board members make one trip per year to a group location; in 2006 they visited the USA group.

2. Tralee-based Kerry Group plc is a major international food corporation with sales in 2006 of €4.65 billion. It is a leading provider of food ingredients and flavour technologies to the global food and beverage industries and is also a leading consumer foods processor and supplier in selected EU markets.

3. The group has six locations in Northern Ireland employing over 800 people as follows:

• Leckpatrick Dairies Omagh
• Kerry Foods (formerly Rye Valley Foods) Enniskillen
• Golden Cow Craigavon
• Henry Denny & Sons Portadown
• Dairy Producer Packers Coleraine
• Provincial Butcher Supplies Lisburn

4. For media enquiries please contact DETI Press Office, Tel: 028 9052 9604.