The Corkman

Work begins on Dairygold’s €120 million developmen­t

- BILL BROWNE

WORK HAS finally commenced on the largest constructi­on project to take place in Mallow for decades, with Dairygold investing €120 million to redevelop it plant in the West End.

The project, part of Dairygold's strategy to address the lifting of milk quotas, is set to create up to 100 new permanent jobs and a further 300 temporary roles during peak constructi­on.

When completed the expansion will more than quadruple the output of milk powders in Mallow, placing it at the heart of the Irish dairy industry. The first phase of the project will include the demolition of redundant buildings at the Annabella site and major road realignmen­t works in the surroundin­g area.

Dairygold CEO Jim Woulfe said the developmen­t would provide “a much needed shot in the arm” to the local community.

“It will bring great opportunit­ies and new life to the Mallow site, delivering a significan­t economic benefit to Mallow town and the surroundin­g area,” said Mr Woulfe.

WORK COMMENCED this week on Dairygold's ambitious €120 million project to redevelop its West End site in Mallow, which is expected to create up to 100 new jobs.

The new project forms part of Dairygold's strategy to address increased milk production following the lifting of quotas in next year.

A key element of the project will be the installati­on of two new 7.5 tonne milk per hour driers at the Mallow site over a seven year period.

It is anticipate­d that the first of these would be operationa­l by March 2016 with the second by 2019 or earlier should the expected surge in milk production post-2015 arrive earlier than anticipate­d.

The expansion will more than quadruple the output of milk powders in Mallow to 450 tonnes per day and increase cream production at the plant from two to 10 tonnes per day.

It is envisaged the expansion programme, which is due to be fully completed by March 2016, will create up to 100 new direct and indirect jobs with up to 300 people being employed on site during peak constructi­on.

The re-developmen­t of the site will see milk see the temporary cessation of milk processing at the plant from next July to April 2015.

While the programme of works will largely take place within the existing site boundary, the project also makes provision for major works on the surroundin­g road network.

This will include works on the road layout at Annabella Roundabout, realignmen­t works on junctions at Annabella, Beecher St and Shortcastl­e St and a planned new entrance to the site. Pedestrian facilities on roads adjoining the site will also be given a facelift.

The initial programme of works, which commenced on Wednesday, will entail the demolition of redundant buildings on the site, the erection of fencing, protective hoarding and embankment­s, the laying down of a new internal roadway and the formation of a new constructi­on entrance from the Lower Beecher Street roundabout.

Commenting on the project, Dairygold CEO Jim Woulfe said it would provide a “much needed shot in the arm” to the local constructi­on sector and business community.

“The plan is well grounded and will bring great opportunit­ies and new life to the Mallow site, delivering a significan­t economic benefit to Mallow town and the surroundin­g area,” said Mr Woulfe.

“The redevelopm­ent will provide a major boost to agricultur­e and farming income in the region in addition to benefittin­g the broader community in several different ways,” he added.

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