C&D Foods to create 100 jobs in €48m investment

Petfood maker C&D Foods is to invest €48m at its facility at Edgeworthstown in Co Longford, which will create 100 new jobs.

The jobs will include new roles in engineering, operations, supply chain and quality assurance and will increase the site’s production capacity by 25%.

Another 100 jobs are being created in the construction of the extension of the Edgeworthstown plant.

The investment, which is supported by Enterprise Ireland, will see additional automated multi-packing and pouch filling lines using the most sustainable innovations available.

C&D Foods is the pet foods division of ABP Food Group – one of the largest own label pet food manufacturers in Europe with production facilities in 11 locations across the continent. The company employs 500 staff in Ireland and a further 1,400 across Europe.

Colm Dore, Manging Director of C&D Foods, said the investment marks an exciting and significant step forward for the business.

“We are seeing a trend across Europe where consumers are favouring pouched pet food for smaller companion animals, and we are in prime position to continue to capitalise on the growing demand for these types of products,” Mr Dore said.

“This investment will enable the company to maintain its position at the forefront of the pet food market while also leading to the creation of new high skilled jobs and positive economic development in our local community,” he added.

Leo Clancy, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, said that a key goal for Enterprise Ireland is to support companies to make the transition to the low-carbon, resource-efficient economy of the future by increasing their level of innovation and all the while improving their competitiveness.

“We have worked closely with C&D foods to support them with their sustainability strategy, reducing carbon by investing in carbon abatement technologies and driving productivity through investing in digitalisation technologies,” Mr Clancy said.

“This large investment into the new showcase plant in Edgeworthstown reflects highly on the entire Irish food sector – pooling together innovation with best-in-class facilities to drive sustainable practices,” he added.

Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation Dara Calleary said a key priority for the Government is to foster regional enterprise development and create jobs across all the regions of Ireland.

“C&D Foods is an Irish company that has experienced impressive growth, producing premium pet food and today’s expansion announcement is a great boost for Longford as well as the wider Midlands region, paving the way for this home-grown company to significantly scale its business,” Mr Calleary added.