€7 million investment strengthens Panelto Foods growth and innovation in the heart of Longford

(l-r) Garry Walsh, CEO, Panelto Foods, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD and Jenny Melia, CEO, Enterprise Ireland



Company has invested €40 million since 2018 and employs over 370 people locally

Panelto Foods, one of Ireland’s leading bread manufacturers, today celebrated another significant milestone in its growth journey with the announcement of a new €7 million bread line at its Longford facility. This latest investment brings the company’s total investment in facilities and equipment to €40 million since 2018, underscoring its commitment to innovation, and long-term growth.

The new bread line will deliver next generation speciality breads designed to meet evolving consumer preferences and retail trends. The company, which has doubled its output since 2018, is continuing to invest in innovation to support its growth ambitions between now and 2030. 

The announcement was marked by a visit from Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke, and CEO of Enterprise Ireland, Jenny Melia. 

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD said,“Panelto Foods is a fantastic example of how sustained investment in innovation and infrastructure can drive growth and competitiveness, which I have seen first-hand working closely with Panelto in Longford over the years.  The Government, through Enterprise Ireland, has proudly supported Panelto’s journey, and today’s announcement reflects the strength of that partnership. 

This investment not only enhances the company’s capabilities but also reinforces its role as a key employer and contributor to the local economy in Longford, and management and staff should be extremely proud of the community they have built”. 

Panelto Foods currently employs 370 people at its Longford campus, which comprises of a state-of-the-art bakery, an R&D Innovation Centre, and a dedicated training hub. . The company specialises in in-store bakery speciality breads for the retail and food service markets. In April of this year, Panelto Foods launched its most recent innovation, Italian Style Focaccia Sandwich Breads which has already exceeded expectations in both the UK and Irish markets.

Garry Walsh, CEO of Panelto Foods, said: “Our continued growth has been built on a culture and mindset of innovation. Our insights and R&D team never stand still, and we have invested heavily in understanding consumer and retail trends, strengthening our R&D capabilities. Ultimately, you cannot execute innovation withouta great team. Here in Longford, we have highly talented and dedicated workforce with people from over forty different nationalities, bringing a wealth of experience, perspectives and innovation to our business. We’re proud to be a significant employer in the Midlands and to continue delivering high-quality, exciting bakery solutions to our customers across Ireland and the UK.”

Retail Trends Driving Growth
Panelto Foods’ growth is closely aligned with major shifts in the retail landscape. In-store bakery has emerged as one of the top three categories driving quality perception among consumers, prompting retailers to seek more innovative and premium offerings. As many retailers scale back traditional scratch bakeries, demand has stepped up for high-quality, in store bakery manufactured bread  solutions. Consumers are increasingly seeking artisanal-style breads with cleaner labels, health benefits, and sustainable credentials. #

Jenny Melia, CEO of Enterprise Ireland said “Panelto Foods’ ongoing investment in innovation and advanced manufacturing is a testament to the ambition and resilience of the company. This new €7 million capital investment further strengthens Panelto’s position as a leader in the sector and highlights the company’s commitment to Longford as a hub for innovation. Enterprise Ireland is proud to support Panelto Foods on its journey, and we look forward to working closely with Garry and the team as they continue to innovate and deliver world-class bakery solutions to customers at home and abroad.”

“Enterprise Ireland have played a pivotal role in supporting Panelto Foods growth through funding and strategic collaboration and we are delighted to host them, along with Minister Burke here today, highlighting the agency’s long-standing partnership with our company, which has helped fuel our expansion and innovation capabilities. Closer to home, Longford County Council have been, and continue to be a significant supporter of our expansion over the past 20 years.” Garry Walsh added.

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About Panelto Foods

Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Longford, Panelto Foods has grown into a key player in the UK and Ireland bake-off bread market and employs 370 people across two state-of-the-art bakeries. In 2023, Panelto Foods joined the European Bakery Group, a pan-European bakery platform headquartered in Tilburg and operating eleven bakeries across the Netherlands, Germany and Ireland.

Media Contact:
Gemma Smyth, on behalf of Panelto Foods
gemma@andsmyth.ie 
087-9156639