It was announced today that Glanbia Cheese Joint Venture plans to build new €130 million mozzarella cheese facility in Portlaoise, creating 78 jobs supported by Enterprise Ireland. 

Glanbia Cheese, the Joint Venture business between Glanbia plc and Leprino Foods will invest a total of €130 million in this world-class facility, which is supported by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland. The new facility will have a production capacity of 45,000 tons per annum. Approximately 78 full time jobs will be created at the facility. It is expected that a further 250 jobs will be created during the construction phase.

The project will now move to its planning phase. If planning permission is successfully achieved, construction will commence later this year and the new facility would be expected to begin production in 2020.

Glanbia Cheese’s Portlaoise facility will source the majority of its key raw materials from Glanbia Ireland. The facility will supply products to customers in the food service sector of the pizza category across Europe.

Welcoming the announcement, Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan said, "This is a great day for Glanbia Cheese, Portlaoise and the Midlands region. The economic growth of our regions through the creation of sustainable jobs is a priority for Government, and I am delighted to see this level of investment and such a significant number of jobs being created here today – most certainly a welcome boost to the economy of Portlaoise."

Source: www.businessworld.ie