Danone Nutricia Early Life Nutrition has finished a €180m expansion programme with the opening of a €26m production line in Wexford.

Richard Bruton, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, today officially opened Danone Nutricia Early Life Nutrition’s extended facility in Wexford. The recently completed expansion is the final phase of a €180m investment programme that has taken place at the Company’s Irish operations in Macroom and Wexford over the past four years.

By end 2014, employment will have increased at Danone in Ireland from 180 to over 400 people – this figure includes the additional 50 jobs that are being created as part of the investment announced today.

The final element of the expansion, new state of the art production line at the company’s Wexford facility, was officially opened by the Minister today. This project involves an investment of €26m, not previously announced. The recruitment process for the 50 new roles has commenced, and all roles are expected to be filled by the end of this year.

Commenting about today’s jobs announcement and the official opening of the extended facility, Donal Courtney, Managing Director, Danone Nutricia Early Life Nutrition Ireland said Danone has a significant track record of growth and investment in Ireland over the past four years.

“This reflects both a growing demand for our products in the European and Asian markets as well as the high regard in which the Irish operations are held amongst the Danone Groupe. Locating our state of the art new generation packaging line in Wexford reinforces the strategic nature of the Irish based operations. This investment would not have been possible without the support of Minister Bruton and his colleagues at Enterprise Ireland – we are very grateful for their continued support.”

Operations Director for Danone in Ireland, Donal Dennehy spoke about the strength of Ireland’s reputation in helping to attract further investment. “We are delighted that as Danone’s operations grow in Ireland so too do the Co-ops that supply us the milk to manufacture our base powders. Danone is an integral part of the agricultural and farming community and are proud members of Bord Bia’s Origin Green programme.”