Jobs boost for Kildare plant is second expansion in just over two years

The new €14m investment in O'Brien Fine Foods is the second major investment in the Timahoe plant in less than three years with €3m announced in September 2013.

Kildare North TD Emmet Stagg said the management team and staff are to be congratulated on this further expansion which will be of major benefit to the local area.

Allan Shine, Chief Executive of Kildare North Chamber said: “This is great news for Kildare, not only the new 40 jobs announced today but also the 150 construction jobs and the €14 million development."

O'Brien family foods have been in existence since 1978 supplying premium quality cooked hams and breakfast meats under the Brady Family and Rudd Brands.

The Company is the largest family-owned cooked meats producer in Ireland and the only large cooked meats company that continues to source all Irish Bord Bia approved pork.

John O’Brien, Managing Director at O’Brien Fine Foods, said: “It is our ambition to become the leading producer in the cooked meats sector and today’s announcement is an important step in this process.

“Not only will the investment in our facility significantly increase our operational capacity, but it will also improve our efficiency, expand our production capabilities to other proteins and positively impact our sustainability credentials.

“Most importantly, this is all underpinned by important job creation in the local area.”

With the latest expansion, the total workforce at O'Brien Fine Foods in Timahoe will rise to 310 and in addition there will be 150 jobs created during construction.

Deputy Stagg complimented O'Brien Fine Foods for its commitment to the Timahoe area.