Golden Cow is creating 23 new jobs in Portadown, with assistance from Invest Northern Ireland, as part of a £2.5m expansion in manufacturing.
The expansion will see the plant, part of Kerry Group, make two innovative products, LowLow Snack Packs and Matteson’s Chicken Dippers, for major retailers in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.
Invest NI has offered the company £100k through its Jobs Fund to support the additions to the current workforce of 52 employees.
A new production facility has been installed to manufacture the new snack foods at the site.
Speaking following a visit to the company, Brian Dolaghan, Invest NI’s Director of Business and Sector Development, said: “This is an important strategic investment by Kerry Group, which has owned Golden Cow since 2001, in the development of this manufacturing operation in Portadown.
“The investment, which we are assisting, is a substantial endorsement of this plant and the wider Northern Ireland food sector.
“The diversification into snack foods is also significant in that it widens the plant’s portfolio and positions it to bid for further new product opportunities developing from Kerry Group’s longstanding focus on convenience and snack foods for key markets abroad.”
He continued: “Benefits will result for the local economy from additional salaries and wages of £395,000 and from the opportunities for other Northern Ireland companies to supply products and services such as packaging.”
Camillus Fitzpatrick, Golden Cow’s Finance Manager added: “The decision by Kerry Group to manufacture the new LowLow Snacks, in particular in Portadown, is recognition of our longstanding expertise and success in providing cheddar cheese products very cost-effectively to leading UK and Irish retailers over many years.
“Invest NI’s Jobs Fund support for the investment and especially to recruit additional staff has been immensely important.”
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