Economy Minister praises Kerry Group

Economy Minister Nigel Dodds has praised Kerry Group for their commitment to the food processing industry in Northern Ireland.

Kerry Group’s 19-member board, led by Chairman Denis Buckley and Chief Executive Hugh Friel, were on a two day trip to Northern Ireland to visit some of Kerry Group’s six facilities here.

Welcoming the Board of Parliament Buildings Mr Dodds said: “Kerry Group is a driving force for innovation and exports in the food processing business. The industry has immense potential for faster growth through additional employment, particularly in predominantly rural areas of Northern Ireland.

“The Group’s influence on the development of the industry is far reaching and ranges from meat and convenience foods to dairy products, especially for markets outside Northern Ireland. We want to build on the company’s existing successes and work with the Group on initiatives that will further develop its operations here.”

Kerry Group has 140 manufacturing facilities across five continents and also employs over 23,000 people worldwide. 800 people are currently employed in their six plants in Northern Ireland.

The Minister continued: “The food industry is already making an important contribution to the local economy. Almost 450 food companies had sales of £2.5 billion in 2005 – 18.9 per cent of Northern Ireland’s total manufacturing sales.

"Food contributes around 15 per cent of sales outside Northern Ireland and is our third biggest manufacturing exporter. Some 19,000 people, that’s almost a fifth of our manufacturing workforce, are employed in processing plants operating to internationally recognised hygiene standards."

(JM)