The Minister for Education and Skills, Joe McHugh TD has unveiled the completion of a significant investment by Aurivo in its milk processing facility in Killygordon, Co. Donegal.
The €6m investment — which is an element of the co-op’s €48m capital investment programme announced last year — will double the processing capacity of the milk plant.
It allows the Killygordon milk plant — which supports 120 jobs — to significantly reduce on-site fossil fuel consumption by some 80%.
In addition to the installation of a larger pasteuriser, separator and homogeniser and milk standardising equipment that increases hourly capacity by 80%, works as part of the investment programme at the Killygordon plant also include the installation of an advanced packaging device capable of packing 1.5-litre, 1.75-litre and 2-litre bio-pack cartons, which utilises 75% less plastic. These new packs are fully recyclable using no fossil-based plastic, according to Aurivo.
Suppliers in 14 counties
Minister McHugh said: “As Brexit comes nearer to reality, it is a significant boost for Donegal and the North-West that Aurivo is investing for the future, particularly in its facilities at Killygordon where it processes fresh milk from suppliers in 14 counties on the island of Ireland.”
“Aurivo is clearly combining a desire to make suppliers’ businesses as profitable and sustainable as possible with the companies own strategy of sustainable growth as a commercial co-operative.”
Pat Duffy, chairman of Aurivo, said: “This investment could not be possible but for our valued farmer suppliers across the Midlands and north-west of Ireland.”
“These are indeed challenging times for the Irish dairy sector, and we are acutely conscious that in the event of a no-deal Brexit, with dairy products being hit the hardest, the impact of tariff barriers and bureaucracy will have a hugely negative impact on farmers.”
“As a co-op, Aurivo is focused on making our suppliers’ businesses as profitable and sustainable as possible, and since Brexit became a reality in 2016, we have been developing plans to ensure that we can efficiently process and market milk supply over the coming years,” Duffy added.
‘Solidifies’ market position
Aaron Forde, CEO of Aurivo, said: “As the second-largest liquid milk processor in the country, this investment enhances and solidifies our market position.”
“The increased capacity, aligned with cost efficiencies and positive environmental, impacts-readies our Killygordon plant for long-term sustainable growth and contributes significantly to Aurivo and its consumer foods business,” Forde concluded.
