A leading supplier to international food-service chains and manufacturers will create 150 new jobs over the next five years.
The investment by Dawn Farms - which will amount to over €25m - is focused at its Meat Science & Innovation Centre in Naas, Co Kildare.
Larry Murrin, CEO of Dawn Farms said: “Developing new products to meet changing consumer tastes has been at the heart of the growth of this firm for over 30 years. Our Meat Science & Innovation Centre at our Naas headquarters is the innovation hub where we support our customers in over 40 markets worldwide.
"Today’s announcement is a major vote of confidence in our people, our innovation process and our customers who are involved at every stage. This investment will enhance our capacity to research trends, to develop new products and exciting new production technologies while ensuring that the highest standards of food safety and security are upheld."
Mr Murrin said the new roles will be at least graduate level, with opportunities for more highly qualified food scientists, meat technologists and those with culinary expertise to join the company as well.
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The Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’Connor said that the Dawn Farms story is a great example for the Irish agri-sector.
"Dawn Farms’ success is based on its strong roots in Ireland, using our brightest and best food scientists to innovate new products and developing long term relationships with major international customers," she said in a statement.
Julie Sinnamon, Chief Executive of Enterprise Ireland, said: "Enterprise Ireland has been working with Dawn Farms since its establishment and we’ve witnessed first-hand the company’s growth and evolution.
"Dawn Farms is an inspiring example of a company that demonstrates global ambition when it comes to its market export potential and is sending a very positive message to every Irish agri-food business, that it is possible to build an innovative and scale-able company that can compete at the highest levels internationally."
