The Irish exporter makes cooked and fermented meat ingredients for foodservice chains and manufacturers across Europe. Its €25m investment, spread over five years, will drive enhancement of Dawn Farms’ research and development at its Meat Science and Innovation hub in Naas.
The 150 new roles will primarily be graduate-based positions, but there are opportunities for experienced food scientists, meat technologists and other food industry professionals.
Ireland’s Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (DJEI) has supported the investment through Enterprise Ireland – a government economic development agency funding Irish business expansion.
'Vote of confidence'
Larry Murrin, CEO of Dawn Farms, called the investment a “major vote of confidence” in its staff, innovation and customers.
He said the €25m would allow the meat processor to explore research trends in greater detail, work on new product development and utilise cutting-edge production technologies to develop its product portfolio.
“Developing new products to meet changing consumer tastes has been at the heart of the growth of this firm for over 30 years,” said Murrin in a press statement.
“Our Meat Science and Innovation Centre at our Naas headquarters is the innovation hub where we support our customers in over 40 markets worldwide.
“Great ingredients make great food and great ingredients come from outstanding food innovation. Consumers’ tastes are constantly evolving. We are passionate students of the marketplace and closely monitor consumer trends. We are seeing more demand for home-style authentic meats, new flavours and new snacking options, as well as ongoing interest in health and wellness across the range of meats that we cook.”
DJEI minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor said the Irish government was making good on its 2017 Action Plan for Jobs by supporting Dawn Farms to expand across Europe.
“The government, through Enterprise Ireland, has been a consistent partner and supporter of Dawn Farms and today marks the latest step in that relationship,” she added.
Dawn Farms describes itself as Europe’s leading supplier of cooked and fermented meat ingredients. The company boasts two production facilities in Ireland, and its specialist UK-based bacon facility, TMI Foods, supplies range of products to UK foodservice firms.
Enterprise Ireland – the viewpoint
Julie Sinnamon, chief executive of Enterprise Ireland, said she was “delighted” to support Dawn Farms as it enters into a new phase of growth and expansion. She called the business an “inspiring example of a company that demonstrates global ambition when it comes to its market export potential” and added the investment sent a positive message to all Irish agri-food firms. Sinnamon claimed the investment fitted Enterprise Ireland's strategy to support Irish companies “to build scale and to expand their research into international markets”.