Moy Park opens new turkey factory

Moy Park has opened a new turkey processing facility at its Ballymena plant, representing an investment of £21m in the business.

The world-class facility is part of a phased four-year £37m investment project, supported by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund.

The investment has resulted in a 65,000sq ft factory extension, which will allow the company to produce 1m fresh turkeys for the Christmas period. The expansion will also secure 150 permanent and 500 seasonal jobs at Moy Park Ballymena – fomerly O’Kane Poultry – and will also provide secondary employment opportunities for turkey growers to supply the increased capacity.

“This investment represents a major leap forward in our capability and capacity as a turkey supplier,” said Moy Park Ballymena executive director Tony O’Neill. “Our business has been achieving significant growth year on year.

“These facilities will allow us to produce and process fresh turkeys during an intensive seasonal window, comfortably meeting consumer demand locally and throughout the UK and Ireland.”

Mr O’Neil also paid tribute to the vital role played by Invest NI and Ulster Bank towards funding the project.

Henry Elvin, Ulster Bank head of business banking said the agri-food industry continued to be a vital driver in the local economy, securing exports, growth and employment in Northern Ireland.

Moy Park is part of the Brazilian food company Marfrig, one of the biggest food companies in the world, while the poultry sector is Northern Ireland’s second largest employer, accounting for around 7000 jobs.

A large percentage of the turkeys supplied by the new factory will be sold through Marks & Spencer stores.