Largo Foods, the leading manufacturer and distributor of premium snack-foods in Ireland, today (20th June) announced that it plans to make an additional investment of up to €2.6m in its manufacturing facility at the Údarás na Gaeltachta Business Park in Gaoth Dobhair, Co Donegal.
The announcement comes as the company’s new rice and tortilla based snack-food manufacturing line was officially launched by the Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dinny McGinley TD in its manufacturing plant in Gaoth Dobhair.
The new snack-food line, which was specially constructed and shipped in from Casa Herrera in California is now fully operational and supplying the Irish and UK markets with a wholegrain chip snack-food.
Largo Foods currently employs over 190 people on a full time and part-time basis (123 full-time equivalents) in Gaoth Dobhair.
Speaking at the announcement, Minister of State Dinny McGinley TD said: “This new investment is on top of an earlier €2.2m investment made in the business in 2010. I commend Largo Foods in their business approach. The decision taken by the group two years ago to rationalise the business, cut costs and refocus was not an easy one but we see the fruits of that labour here today.
The addition of more manufacturing lines, the increase in capacity, and the expansion of the product mix will allow for better efficiencies, increased sales and will help to secure current employment in Gaoth Dobhair. I especially commend Ray Coyle, CEO of Largo Foods. There is no doubt that without his personal commitment to the manufacturing facility in Gaoth Dobhair the future of Largo Foods here would definitely be more challenging.”
Ray Coyle, CEO of Largo Foods said: “Approximately 70% of what Largo Foods makes in Donegal is exported, principally to the UK. Our strategy is to continue to invest in R&D and high value products to allow us to increase efficiencies, sustain and grow the business in Gaoth Dobhair. I am confident that we can do this with the continued support and co-operation of the workforce, Údarás na Gaeltachta and our customers.”
John Lowery, Acting CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta who supported the project said: “This additional investment announced by Largo Foods is encouraging in such a challenging economic environment and is a vote of confidence by the company in the Gaoth Dobhair area and its workforce.”