Cork-based food business Carbery Group’s diversification into cheese products like mozzarella is a tasty move.
Growth in its nutrition business and a diversification into cheese production has seen Cork-based Carbery Group grow turnover 3pc to €434m for 2019.
Milk volumes in 2019 were 567 million litres, a growth of 42pc between 2015 and 2019, all processed in Ballineen, West Cork.
“Like all processors, we are closely monitoring volatile dairy markets across the world”
Across the group globally, production has increased by 20pc since 2017, but carbon emissions have reduced by 11.7pc.
Carbery Group CEO Jason Hawkins said that the cheese diversification investment of €78m has demanded a significant amount of energy and focus and while slightly delayed, expect the new mozzarella line will be operational in 2020
Carbery’s Nutrition business continued to grow and performed strongly in 2019. To support market expansion into Asia, a commercial base in Shanghai was opened during the year.
Accounting for taste
Carbery Group CEO Jason Hawkins
Strong performance across the Group’s taste division Synergy was driven by the continuing implementation of the newly updated global strategy. This includes responding to the changing taste and dietary needs of the European customer base, as well as supporting growth plans in Asia by the opening in 2019 of Carbery Group’s first customer centre in Indonesia.
The Americas Taste business continues to deliver strong results and 2019 saw the launch of the Dairy Taste portfolio in the Americas market. Synergy US headquarters in Wauconda, Illinois was expanded by 38,000 square feet during 2019 to accommodate future business growth.
“At Carbery, we have been focusing on how the business performs, but also on how we do business,” Hawkins said.
“Due to our cooperative model, and our close relationship with our farmer suppliers in West Cork, we have always been connected to the community and the product that we produce. Throughout 2019 we have been working on how we can safeguard the future of our business, while improving on that connection and commitment, both in Ireland and in our operations across the world.”
“It’s hard to believe, as we reflect on 2019, that the challenges posed by Covid19 in 2020 were on the horizon. Looking forward, Carbery Group is focused on our business continuity plans and managing the situation so we can maintain uninterrupted production processes across our businesses throughout this crisis.
“Our cheese diversification project has been slightly delayed but is almost complete. Like all processors, we are closely monitoring volatile dairy markets across the world. Our primary concerns, as we remain at the peak of this crisis, are to safeguard the health of our employees and our farmer suppliers, as we endeavour to maintain production,” Hawkins added.
Written by John Kennedy (john.kennedy3@boi.com)
Published: 23 April, 2020
