The Heinz factory in Dundalk
The Heinz factory in Dundalk has been sold to a Manchester-based food company.
The deal between the Authentic Food Company (TAFC) and Heinz includes a three-year arrangement for TAFC to manufacture the Weight Watchers meals developed by Heinz.
The two businesses will also work on developing new frozen products for the same range, with none of the firm’s 155 jobs thought to be affected by the takeover.
TAFC, which is family owned and managed, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
News of the sale emerged in December, with the deal now finalised for an undisclosed sum. The factory in the Finnabair Industrial Estate off the Inner Relief Road was opened in 1993 and is one of the biggest employers in the town.
Nik Basran, TAFC managing director, said the deal was an investment in the food manufacturing sector in Ireland.
“The strategic acquisition of this well invested site at Dundalk adds many new capabilities to our offer; including pasta, fish dishes and potato topped products,” Mr Basran said.
“The proposed sale offers a positive future for the facility and for the 155 people employed at the site.”
The terms of the sale have not been disclosed.
TAFC, which was set up in 1985, is family owned and headquartered in Manchester.
The company has 240 employees, with this deal bringing the number of employees to around 395. It said it was planning the expansion of its food service and retail business both in the UK and Europe.
“We have invested heavily in our sites and people in the UK over the last five years and this is very much more of the same, albeit on a much bigger scale, to ensure we are equipped to respond to evolving customer needs,” added Mr Basran.
