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Major Jobs Boost for Thurles

THE town of Thurles received a major jobs boost yesterday, Tuesday, with the announcement that the Government has approved the making of a research and development grant of £ 575,000 to Erin Foods Manufacturing Ltd.
By Anne O'Grady
The announcement was made by the Minister for Environment and Education, Mr Michael Smith, T.D., who stated that full implementation of the global investment package will result in the creation of 134 new jobs over the period 1993-1997. Over thirty-one of these jobs are already in place.

Minister Smith expressed his delight that the Government were supporting this "thriving indigenous industry" in Thurles and he congratulated the management and workforce who had contributed enormously to this significant development.

The news has also been welcomed by the former Minister for Agriculture, Senator Michael O'Kennedy who said he was happy that Thurles was enhancing its standing as the centre of the added value area in the food processing sector.

The grant, which is being made available through Shannon Development, will go towards meeting the cost of an eligible research and development programme. Minister Smith stated that an integral part of Erin Foods; development strategy was the implementation of a major research and development programme and a detailed product development programme had been prepared and was being implemented in two phases.

Mr Smith said that, in addition, a number of facilities in the form of capital aid for which Government approval was not required were being made available by Shannon Development to Erin Foods. These included a new industry grant of £ 132,000 towards the cost of eligible building works, a new industry grant of £ 414,960 towards the cost of eligible plant and machinery and an equity subscription of £ 500,000 (ordinary shares) in Greencore Plc.

He added that the project had the backing of the National Food Centre and he confirmed that Greencore Plc were a party to the agreement.

Mr Smith said the company's drive in recent years for higher quality, added value products and the major successes which it had received on the export market had been instrumental in achieving this progress.

"It is worthwhile to note that as recently as four years ago the company was only exporting seven or eight percent of its produce and now, in an increasingly competitive market, their export achievement has reached 33% of produce. In the teeth of international competition they have gained a significant foothold with prestigious UK companies. Needless to say, the boost in jobs is a very welcome development for Thurles. The knock-on effect of this level of investment for the town is going to be substantial and the people of Thurles can look forward to a period of further growth and prosperity in the years ahead"," he added.

Meanwhile, Sentator O'Kennedy described the development as very major and said it was part of the culmination of the research and development which they had been promoting. The new development, he said, would deal with nutritionally balanced meals and recipe formations and would take Erin Foods into an entire new market niche. It was the latest in high technology and represented a very substantial investment of over £ 1 million at this point.

"It is all very positive in that it represents a diversification into the value added area in the food processing sector which I was always very anxious to see promoted there and I very much welcome the culmination of this effort. It was always said under the Sugar Company that they would commit themselves to ongoing development there and I am glad to see it being brought to fruition"," he said.

Saying it was a very exciting development, he complimented the management and staff and said the whole approach to the development was very positive. He was very happy that Thurles was re-inforcing its reputation as the centre of the added value area in the food processing sector.

Councillor Frances Boyle, a Chamber of Commerce representative on Thurles Urban Council last night welcomed the news and congratulated all concerned. She added that Thurles could do with more such good news.
