Rosderra Meats, established by the management team that acquired the Glanbia Meats Division in February, announced the plan yesterday with an investment understood to be in the region of €12 million to €15 million, reports the Irish Examiner.

The investment programme will involve the complete rebuilding of the section of the processing plant destroyed by fire last August which covered processing, packing and dispatch operations.

Rosderra Meats chief executive Jim Hanley said the company were delighted to announce the rebuilding of the processing plant.

“This investment not only creates 120 new jobs, once the plant is fully operational, it secures the 250 jobs that were put at risk following the fire last August,“ he said.

“When completed, this will be one of the most modern pigmeat processing plants in Europe.“

Mr Hanley said it would also “ assure Rosderra pig suppliers of our commitment to the future“.

In its first year of operations, Rosderra Meats plans to slaughter 1.3 million pigs, representing 50% of the country’s total kill.

The company is forecasting a turnover of more than €200 million in its first year, with 45% of its bacon and pork products produced for export.

View the Irish Examiner story by clicking here.