Moy Park premises opened

A new chapter in Ballymena’s manufacturing history commenced last Wednesday when Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster officially opened the new Moy Park poultry manufacturing facility.

The £21million world class premises is part of a phased four-year, £37million investment project, supported by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund, which was announced earlier this year.

Speaking at the opening, Mrs. Foster said: “Moy Park Limited is now one of the UK’s largest food processing companies, having acquired O’Kane Poultry Limited earlier this year.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“This new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Ballymena is an important step in helping the company to build upon its position by increasing its production capability and developing new added value products.

“Today marks an opportunity to further develop innovation and employment within our highly successful food and drink industry. Moy Park has made a significant commitment to growth through this overall £37million investment which aims to achieve external sales of £154million by 2013.

“It is this type of commitment which will help us on the path to economic recovery.”

Nigel Dunlop, Managing Director of Moy Park, commented: “This new facility forms a key part of Moy Park’s wider strategy which aims to grow and secure our market position. The highly advanced facility will allow us to meet the needs of new and existing customers while investigating new product concepts and increasing our production of consumer led poultry products for UK and European markets.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Moy Park Limited is Northern Ireland’s largest food processing company and is owned by Marfrig Ltd based in Brazil. Moy Park employs around 3,700 people in NI.

Invest NI offered £5million of support, which includes part funding from the European Regional Development Fund under the Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland, towards Moy Park’s £37.3million investment, announced in May 2010.