Business News

Mondelez International announce US$5m investment in Rathmore

By Business & Finance
04 April 2014

Mondelez International today announced proposals to invest US$€5m in its Cadbury chocolate crumb manufacturing plant in Rathmore, Co. Kerry.

The proposal encompasses the installation of a new milk evaporator and new buildings to replace existing technology. This investment represents an important opportunity to improve competitiveness through a significant reduction in the use of fuel oil, which will also deliver environmental benefits and production efficiencies, and the potential opportunity for growth in milk capacity.

Subject to planning permission work is scheduled to commence in May 2014 and be completed by August 2015, when the new plant is due to be commissioned.

Commenting on the investment, head of Manufacturing, Ian O’Toole, said: “Rathmore has a proud manufacturing heritage and we are committed to ensuring it continues. This proposed investment demonstrates confidence in our manufacturing capability.

“This enhanced technology forms part of an overall Mondelez manufacturing strategy to drive efficiency in manufacturing processes and ways of working. The investment represents an important stepping stone for Rathmore’s competitiveness journey,” he added.

Established in 1948, the factory is located on the banks of the River Blackwater in Rathmore, Co. Kerry –  in heart of Munster dairy pastures, from where Cadbury source approximately 80 million litres of fresh Irish milk annually, for use in chocolate crumb.

Chocolate crumb is the base ingredient for chocolate products.  This crumb is used in the Cadbury chocolate factory in Coolock, Dublin and also exported to the US, Canada and the UK.

The factory is a key employer in the west Kerry area employing 86 people.