Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has officially opened Denny and Galtee owner Pilgrim's Food Masters' new office in Sandyford, Co Dublin.
Pilgrim's, established following the acquisition of Kerry Group's consumer foods, meats and meals business last September, employs over 1,500 people in Ireland, and the Sandyford location will serve as its headquarters.
Pilgrim's manages consumer brands such as Denny, Galtee, Shaw's and Ballyfree and manufacturers many private label products for leading supermarkets, including sliced cooked meats and breakfast meets at its facilities in Shillelagh, Co Wicklow.
The company also produces frozen ready meals for UK and Irish retailers in Carrickmacross, Co.Monaghan, and its parent company, Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, has committed to further investment in its factories, brands and staff.
"Pilgrim’s Food Masters Ireland is part of Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, a global leader in the production and manufacture of pork, poultry and added value food products," said Richard Irvine, managing director of Pilgrim's Food Masters.
In Association with
"Ireland is a key market for Pilgrim’s as it is the home of one of the groups biggest and most iconic brands, Denny. Ireland is renowned for great quality produce all over the word and our 1,500 employees across our two manufacturing facilities in Ireland are committed to making the best quality food for consumers to enjoy.
"We are delighted to continue our journey in Ireland under our new ownership and excited to open the Dublin office with our team today.”
Minister Donohoe commented: "I am delighted to open Pilgrim’s Food Masters new office in Dublin today, to mark their success to date and plans for future growth. Pilgrim’s is a key business and a major employer in the Irish agri-food sector.
"As a government, we want to ensure that businesses such as Pilgrim’s have a stable and positive environment in which to operate, create jobs and support livelihoods.
"The role of businesses in Ireland, like Pilgrim’s, is critical in ensuring that we achieve our climate ambitions and I commend their commitment to sustainable farming and to supporting the farming community. Tackling climate change is about working together to ensure a positive future for all.”
Pilgrim's employs some 59,200 people across processing plants and prepared-food facilities in 14 US states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, the UK, Ireland and continental Europe.
Photo: (l-r) Richard Irvine; Paschal Donohoe; Oswaldo Quiros, commercial director at Pilgrim's Food Masters; and Julie-Ann Twomey, marketing and innovation controller at Pilgrim's Food Masters. (Pic: Naoise Culhane)
