By Business & Finance 
O’Brien Fine Foods has announced details of a €14m development at its ham processing facility in Timahoe, Co. Kildare.
O’Brien Fine Foods is a producer of cooked meats under the Brady Family brand, and breakfast meats under the Rudd’s brand.
The planned expansion at the Timahoe facility is expected to more than double operational capacity, creating an additional 40 full-time jobs, bringing the total number of jobs at Timahoe from 310 over the next two years.
John O’Brien, managing director, 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.”
He continued: “We have a strong track record in the cooked meats sector, and pride ourselves on producing 100% Irish, Bord Bia-approved pork products. We work with Irish suppliers with whom we have long-standing relationships. In today’s marketplace, we recognise that provenance and quality is of the utmost importance, which, in turn, drives growth and demand for our products.”
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, said: “The food and drink industry has been a driving force in our economic recovery since 2009. I am delighted to welcome continued growth in this important sector with family businesses like O’Brien Fine Foods contributing to the growth of this, our most valuable indigenous industry, with their own ambitious expansion plans.
“Brady Family Ham has been in business for almost 40 years, and produced on this site in Co. Kildare for over 30. The company is an important part of the local community, as well as a significant employer in the local area. I welcome the additional employment that this development will create, and am delighted to see the business go from strength to strength.”
As well as being a significant employer in the area, O’Brien Fine Foods are very active in the local community, sponsoring Kildare GAA county hurling and football teams.
Construction at the facility has commenced, with work expected to be completed by June 2016.
