Dale Farm, a cooperative owned by 1,280 farmer members in Northern Ireland, is making waves in the agri-food industry with its recent £70 million investment. This significant injection of capital is the largest ever in Northern Ireland’s agri-food sector and will be used to expand the cheddar cheese facility at Dunmanbridge in County Tyrone.
### Largest Investment
The plans for this investment include integrating state-of-the-art technologies and equipment at the site to boost production and make substantial sustainability gains. This move positions Dale Farm as a leading European cheddar manufacturer, further solidifying its reputation in the industry.
– Annual turnover of £728 million in 2023
– Exporting cheddar to 40 countries worldwide
– Responding to continued customer growth
### Cheddar Cheese Production
Nick Whelan, the group chief executive of Dale Farm, highlighted how this investment will support the growth and capability of the cooperative. With a strong reputation for quality, sustainability, and consistency, Dale Farm has seen significant customer growth in the cheddar category. This investment is aimed at future-proofing the operation at Dunmanbridge for decades to come.
– Investing in new patented products and processes
– Increasing cheese capacity by 20,000 tonnes per year
– Expanding whey protein concentrate capacity
The expanded operation at Dunmanbridge is expected to go live in February 2025, with improvements and replacements of existing services and utilities already in progress.
### Energy Efficient
One of the key aspects of this expansion is the incorporation of advanced energy-efficient technologies and new production processes. This move is expected to reduce the site’s carbon footprint by an estimated 4,500 tonnes per year, showcasing Dale Farm’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.
– Onboarding new technologies and digital transformation
– Investing in sustainability efforts
– Aim towards achieving a net zero carbon footprint
With a focus on leadership, quality, sustainability, and innovation, Dale Farm aims to solidify its position as a global leader in the dairy industry. This commitment to excellence is reflected in the cooperative’s dedication to implementing cutting-edge technologies and processes to drive growth and sustainability.
As Dale Farm continues to make strides in the cheddar cheese production sector, this latest investment underscores the cooperative’s commitment to excellence and sustainability. By incorporating state-of-the-art technologies and processes, Dale Farm is not only enhancing its production capabilities but also reducing its carbon footprint and paving the way for a more sustainable future in the dairy industry.
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