Major investment by dairy group in Northern Ireland

LacPatrick Group, a leading Irish dairy company, is investing ?30 million at its Northern Ireland plant, creating up to 15 jobs. Formed in July by the merger of two dairy co-operatives, Town of Monaghan in the Republic of Ireland and Ballyrashane Creamery in Northern Ireland, LacPatrick is expanding operations at Artigarvan, near Strabane in county Tyrone. Work has begun already on the site and it is expected it will be fully operational by April 2017. At its peak the 15 month construction project will provide employment for more than 150 construction workers. Tommy Thompson, operations director at LacPatrick Group, says: "Our Artigarvan plant has been exporting high quality milk powders for decades to more than 30 countries worldwide. "Our milk pool is growing rapidly and our members were keen we develop a sustainable and effective facility that will enable them to secure routes to primary export markets. "We have already established a reputation of excellence and we see this as a real opportunity to push this out even further globally when the Plant is up and running in 2017." Gabriel D'Arcy, LacPatrick Group chief executive, added: "We are delighted to be making this strong statement of confidence that has huge significance for us, our suppliers and our shareholders. "This announcement follows the equally exciting formation of LacPatrick and underpins the vision of the respective boards and members of the founding co-ops."