70 health food jobs for Dundalk

by insideireland.ie - 04/03/2010

"Tánaiste Mary Coughlan has announced that a leading Australian healthcare company, Probiotec Limited, is to create around 70 new jobs by establishing its European manufacturing headquarters in Dundalk, Co Louth"

Probiotec will use the site to produce its range of weight management and other food products.

Tánaiste Mary Coughlan has announced that a leading Australian healthcare company, Probiotec Limited, is to create around 70 new jobs by establishing its European manufacturing headquarters in Dundalk, Co Louth

The Celebrity Slim range is among the dietary products to be produced at the Dundalk operation.

The facility will be the strategic production centre for the company to drive its continued growth in the European market. Probiotec project that it will generate sales in excess of €30m over the next three years.

Wayne Stringer, CEO of Probiotec Limited commented, “This project establishing our European manufacturing base in Dundalk is a highly strategic investment for Probiotec and demonstrates our commitment to our international expansion goals.

“Our decision to locate Probiotec in Dundalk was based on Ireland's unrivalled reputation as a world leading centre for food ingredients excellence, the availability of excellent raw materials and top class infrastructure. We plan to move fast, start recruitment in early 2010, and be shipping from Dundalk by mid 2010. This is a very exciting and challenging time for our company, and we are delighted to have Enterprise Ireland's support.”

The Tánaiste said that it is a highly significant investment for Probiotec that reaffirms Ireland's reputation for excellence in the food ingredient sector and as a primary location of choice for international food companies.

The Dundalk operation will enable Probiotec to manufacture in Ireland its range of dietary/meal replacement products, branded as Celebrity Slim, for the European market. Since their launch in the Irish and UK markets in 2007 these products have achieved significant growth levels.

Probiotec are receiving the support of Enterprise Ireland, in setting up a dedicated European production facility in Dundalk to exploit the potential in the wider European market and build on its sales in Ireland and Britain.

Making the announcement the Tánaiste said: "On behalf of the Government, I am delighted to announce the decision by Probiotec to locate its European manufacturing base in Ireland.”

Ms Coughlan added that the investments and jobs created would be of benefit to both Dundalk and the Border region as a whole.

She also acknowledged the significance for the food sector in Ireland, which, according to the Tánaiste, employs over 46,000 people and contributes over €8bn in exports to the economy. This project, Deputy Coughlan noted, will also add significant value to locally sourced raw materials, particularly dairy ingredients.

“It also says a lot about the very high regard for the Irish food sector across the globe. "It (Probiotec) has chosen Ireland as the base from which to spearhead this strategic drive, confirming once again that Ireland and its food sector are seen internationally as offering a very attractive and highly competitive base for business,” she said.

Welcoming the announcement, Frank Ryan, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, said: "This project underpins the Government's and Enterprise Ireland's strategy for the food sector and building export focussed innovative companies capable of achieving significant global reach.

"EI works with all the stakeholders in the food industry to support its position in the Irish economy as a leading contributor to export growth and job creation.We welcome Probiotec to the family of food companies that are already operating so successfully out of Ireland,” he added.

More Details: http://www.insideireland.ie/index.cfm/section/news/ext/probiotecdundalk001/category/1107