Moy Park invests £4M at Northern Ireland plant

The poultry meat producer is currently installing the equipment – continuous in-line oven cooking and chilling technology – at the Craigavon plant. The upgrade was expected to be operational by the end of this month.

According to Moy Park, the ready to eat cooked chicken category represents a key growth area. It said the investment would enhance production capabilities and allow for continued innovation in the fast moving category.

Speaking about the investment, Keith Irvine, Moy Park’s supply chain director, said: “Moy Park is committed to growing the business through investment in both our industry leading farming and operational facilities.

‘Ready to eat products’

“This investment further cements the company’s position as one of the most advanced producers of ready to eat products in the UK and Europe as it enhances our ability to satisfy consumer demand for increasingly innovative, healthy, convenient and tasty products.”

The initiative at Craigavon is the third significant investment by the company in just over three months.

At the end of last month the company announced the investment of £8M in a multi-year skills programme to support its growth across Europe.

The programme covered a range of training and learning initiatives. Featured in the plan were projects dedicated to: leadership and management development, technical competences and functional skills across the workforce.

Increase capacity

Last November Moy Park said it was spending £10M at its site in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, to increase production capacity with a new cutting line, processing equipment and refrigeration chilling technology.

It said the development would also lead to the creation of 100 new jobs.

Moy Park is Northern Ireland’s largest employer, with around 6,300 of 12,000 employees based in the region.

Last month it confirmed 19 job losses as a result of the closure of its site at Wisbech in Cambridgeshire.