The Kerry Group picked its native Ireland ahead of Amsterdam and London for its Euro100m Global Technology & Innovation Centre.
At the official opening on 1st October, Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny said: “Having a center of food innovation on this scale will be a beacon to the global food industry that Ireland is where you need to be.”
Naas was chosen for its closeness to Dublin International airport, the availability of graduates from Irish Universities; but also for support from Government departments and agencies.
“All things being equal Ireland would be the place we wanted to bring it but we had to do our research and convince ourselves that this was the right place,” said Stan McCarthy, Kerry Group Chief Executive.
A modernized version of the group’s facility in Beloit, USA, its 800+ staff serves Europe, Middle East, and Africa with access to technologies, scientific research, innovation and applications expertise in food and beverage. It will also serve the world as a Global Centre of Excellence for Nutrition.
Ingredients for ice creams such as Ben and Jerry, or to coat fish, and meat tenders, are researched at the center in collaboration with global food companies in test kitchens and commercialization plants.