A leading Australian food firm is to create 70 jobs at a new manufacturing plant.

Healthcare company Probiotec is to set up its European headquarters in Dundalk, Co Louth where it will produce a range of weight management and other food products.

Tánaiste Mary Coughlan said the investment reaffirmed Ireland's reputation for excellence in the food sector. "This investment, and the creation of 70 new jobs, is significant not just for Probiotec but for Dundalk and the border region," she said.

The investment is expected to generate sales of more than €30m over the next three years. The Dundalk plant will produce a range of dietary and meal replacement products, branded as Celebrity Slim, for the European market.

The food sector in Ireland employs about 46,000 people and adds €8bn to the economy. The Tánaiste added: "This project will also add significant value to locally sourced raw materials, particularly dairy ingredients. "It also says a lot about the very high regard for the Irish food sector across the globe." Wayne Stringer, Probiotec chief executive, said: "Our decision to locate Probiotec in Dundalk was based on Ireland's unrivalled reputation as a world leading centre for food ingredients excellence, the availability of excellent raw materials and top class infrastructure.

"We plan to move fast, start recruitment in early 2010, and be shipping from Dundalk by mid-2010. "This is a very exciting and challenging time for our company, and we are delighted to have Enterprise Ireland's support."

Probiotec was set up in Australia in 1997, making and marketing prescription and over the counter pharmaceuticals, complementary medicines, weight management products and speciality ingredients. It employs 350 people.

Source:
breakingnews.ie