New 78m virginia plant opens as glanbia aims to double production

Two ministers this morning saw for themselves the strides Glanbia Ingredients Ireland (GII) are making in Virginia as the company launched their brand new €7.8 plant million.

The investment in the Virginia plant was to build a new milk protein unit, which will more than double current milk protein capacity from 4,000 to 10,000 tonnes. 

This expansion of the Virginia facility is specifically designed to meet the exacting technical standards of the clinical and lifestyle nutrition market, a business which is growing worldwide and is predicted to expand by double digits over the next ten years.
The Virginia facility will continue its extensive production of enriched milk powders for export markets as well as exclusive cream supply to the global Baileys brand.
GII is currently investing €200 million in value adding facilities, one of the largest ever undertaken by an indigenous company, to facilitate farmers and customers in expanding their businesses in light of the elimination of milk quotas in 2015. GII processes milk from Cavan farmers and surrounding counties, and employs 100 people.

Arlene Foster, NI Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment and Arts Minister Heather Humphreys enjoyed a tour of the new Virginia plant this morning.
At today's launch Minister Foster stressed the benefits of cross-border cooperation: “Our food and drink industries both rely on export markets and we should build on our cooperation with Government bodies such as Invest Northern Ireland and Bord Bia continuing to collaborate to promote the free flow of trade across our border. By working together we can achieve much more and ultimately create a platform from which we can collectively sell more into target global markets.
“Glanbia employs a large number of people on both sides of the border, through direct employment and through the supply of milk from dairy farmers, and is an excellent example of the opportunities that cross-border trade and investment brings to both countries. This investment will create a number of new jobs in the border area and I look forward to deepening the strong existing relationships with our friends and colleagues in Cavan.”

Speaking at the launch Minister Humphreys said: “Glanbia is a very important employer locally, and this significant investment illustrates the company’s commitment to the area. Glanbia’s innovative approach to targeting key growth markets overseas has allowed it to grow exports and establish itself as one of the major players in the Irish agri-food sector. The agri-food sector is not only a very important source of employment in Cavan and Monaghan, it is also helping to drive our jobs recovery across the country.”
Jim Bergin, CEO of Glanbia Ingredients Ireland, said: “GII has a strong investment programme of over €200m which is designed to position the business for future growth. While we are conscious of current fluctuations in commodity pricing, the long range outlook for the business and for suppliers is positive - with a growing demand from customers for the high quality milk proteins we will be producing here in Virginia.
“The opening of our new plant ensures that both GII and our farmer suppliers will be able to capitalise on the generational opportunity that is provided by the ending of milk quotas next year. We are proud to have been operating in Virginia since 1974 and look forward to continuing to invest in the business with this latest investment confirming our commitment to the plant and the local area.”