Enterprise Ireland
Annual Report and Accounts 2007
Annual Report and Accounts 2007
Reflecting its aggressive growth ambitions, Glanbia plc significantly stepped up its commitment to research and innovation in 2007, supported by a €6.3 million investment from Enterprise Ireland.
The expansion to the Glanbia Group Innovation Centre in Kilkenny, announced in December 2007, almost doubles the number of R&D focused personnel at the Group and involves a total investment of €21 million.
The expansion is projected to see 23 additional highly qualified research-focused jobs at the centre on top of 25 already in place, making it the largest dedicated R&D facility for a dairy company in Ireland.
Widely recognised for exceptional products, innovative processing technologies and dedicated customer service, Glanbia is one of the top five dairy producers in Europe and the biggest dairy in Ireland. It has an annual turnover in the region of €2 billion and employs 4,900 people worldwide in operations in Ireland, UK, Germany, USA, China, Canada and Nigeria.
The international dairy processor and food ingredients Group holds the number one position in several global markets and last year launched several innovative new products, including CFM Nitro, a sports nutrition product, Provon Revive, a performance recovery product, Prolibra, a key active ingredient in weight loss, Avonmore Supermilk, Yoplait Mixed Seeds, Yoplait Superfruit and Yoplait Smootheze.
With a strategic commitment to extend Group performance over the next two years, Glanbia has placed innovation at the heart of its current growth strategy.
In line with these growth targets, Glanbia is using the investment in innovation to enhance its nutritional and functional food development programmes to produce unique, higher value, dairy and functional food solutions.
“The centre is a critical factor in positioning Glanbia to respond speedily and imaginatively to changing market demand and it is a key enabler of future growth,” says Group MD John Moloney. “As a Food company we are operating in an environment where change is happening rapidly. Customers and consumers are demanding new products, new tastes, a focus on health and wellbeing and convenience – and all without compromising on quality or cost. Therefore it is imperative that we remain in a position to innovate.”
The Glanbia Innovation Centre has been in operation since 2004, supported by Enterprise Ireland. Enterprise Ireland’s backing for the investment emphasises the importance of strong, industry-led R&D centres of excellence to the Irish dairy sector, in line with strategic objectives for the dairy industry.
“Glanbia values the partnership approach adopted by Enterprise Ireland,” Moloney says. “They know us well, not only in the context of understanding and supporting our innovation strategy, but also, for example, in the management of the Dairy Investment Fund during 2007.”
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