70 New Jobs to Be Created at Green Isle Portumna Co. Galway

Today (31 March 2008) Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin T.D. announced that Green Isle Foods Ltd, part of Northern Foods plc is  to  invest  €5.2  million in new job creation, training, and management development.  This  investment,  with support from Enterprise Ireland, will lead to the creation of 70 new jobs over the next three years at its frozen pastry business, based in Portunmna Co. Galway. These jobs are comprised of direct production, production management and support roles.

Today's  announcement  comes  as  a result of the recent acquisition of the business  and  certain  assets  of the RHM Frozen Pastry business in the UK from  Premier Foods Ltd by Green Isle Foods.  The acquisition includes well known  RHM  pastry  brands including the Upper Crust and Tiffany brands, as well  as the licence to produce frozen pastry products under the McDougalls brand.

Making the announcement Minister Martin said:

"Green Isle's success to date can be attributed to continual investments in capital,  research & development, product and brand innovation and customer service.  This  major  €5.2  million  investment,  supported  by Enterprise Ireland,  will  lead to the creation of 70 new jobs at the company over the next   three   years.   The  investment  is  a  strong  signal  as  to  the competitiveness   and  future  potential  of  Ireland  as  a  location  for value-added food production."

Commenting  on  the  Investment  Garry  Walsh, Managing Director Green Isle Foods said:

"In  the very competitive UK frozen pastry market, the acquisition of these assets  and trade marks by Green Isle allows us to consolidate our business and  compete  more  effectively.  The  acquisition, which will result in an additional  70  jobs, also allows us to make more efficient use of our site in Portumna."

Commenting  on  the announcement Dick Lenehan, Head of the Food Division at Enterprise Ireland said:

"The  decision  by  Green Isle to expand its Portumna plant will secure its strategic  position  as  the  manufacturing centre of excellence for frozen pastry  within  the Northern Foods Group, and provide a viable platform for future development."

Headquartered  in Naas, Co. Kildare, Green Isle produces a range of branded frozen  foods  and  employs over 1,100 people in Ireland with operations in Naas  Co.  Kildare,  Portumna  Co.  Galway, Longford and Gurteen Co. Sligo.

Green   Isle  is  renowned  for  brand  development  with  its  Irish  made 'Goodfella's'  frozen  pizza  now commanding 30% of all frozen pizza retail sales in the UK.

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(This  press  release  is  also  available  from the Departments website at  www.entemp.ie )

For further information contact:

Sarah O'callaghan Press Office, Enterprise Ireland tel: 01 808 2755