Food
In documents, planners for Dew Valley Foods said there had been ‘significant demand for Irish-produced cooked bacon products’ in recent years. Photo: Stock image/Getty
Dew Valley Foods, one of the largest producers of cooked bacon in Europe, is planning a substantial expansion of its factory in Co Tipperary that could create around 180 jobs.
The company, founded in 1987 as a small, privately owned meat processor, said it was planning a “substantial capital investment” on the site, according to planning documents submitted to Tipperary County Council. It is seeking a 10-year planning permission for the development, including an 11,267 sq m extension to the existing food-manufacturing facility and a two-storey office space.
In the documents, planners for the company said there had been “significant demand for Irish-produced cooked bacon products” in recent years.
The construction phase of the proposed project would take place over around 10 years
“Dew Valley Foods, in order to remain viable as a commercial entity, must respond to the demands of a continually changing marketplace and be positioned to service and adapt to the changing requirements of its customers,” the planning report said.
The report added that increasing production capacity and onsite storage and refrigeration was required to service existing customer demands. It would also position Dew Valley Foods as a European market-leader in cooked bacon products.
The new production facility would also “safeguard existing employment” at Dew Valley Foods, said the report, and increase the number of employees on site to 630. There are currently around 450 employees at the Thurles facility.
The report said the extension would position the firm as a European market-leader in cooked bacon products
Planning documents said the proposed development was a “significant infrastructural construction project” and would be carried out on a phased basis, subject to operational and commercial requirements.
The construction phase of the proposed project would take place over around 10 years. Subject to receipt of planning permission, the company hopes to start next year.
Dew Valley Foods did not respond to a request for comment.