Trout farm to scale up operations in Kilkenny
Goatsbridge Trout Farm in County Kilkenny is to increase efficiencies and production of its food range thanks to a €280,000 grant from the Brexit Processing Capital Support Scheme.
The well-known Thomastown business is one of 44 projects to share in a €26.8 million investment from the Seafood Processing Capital Support Scheme, administered through BIM.
The scheme will deliver up to €45 million in funding to the seafood processing sector and is funded by the European Union under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve.
During a visit to Goatsbridge of BIM CEO, Caroline Bocquel, Development & Innovation Director Richard Donnelly, owners Mag and Ger Kirwan said they will be using the €280,000 investment to improve production efficiencies of their key products including smoked trout, trout caviar and fish chowder.
They also announced that Goatsbridge, which employs 27 people, will increase its presence in the UK market having landed a deal to stock its popular products through the Ocado online food company.
Products are already available in 450 Sainsburys outlets around the UK.
The business is using the grant aid to purchase key processing equipment including an inline chiller, bowl choppers, cooking vessels and a manufacturing production system.