£6 mln investment by poultry plant

The company made the announcement during a visit to its Lisnaskea factory by Stormont minister Nigel Dodds.

The company, which makes breaded chicken and egg products for the Irish and British markets, acquired the former Moy Park factory after a fire destroyed its breading plant in Ballyhaunis in July 2006.

The company looked at a number of possible locations before opting for Lisnaskea, said managing director of Western Brand, Eugene Lannon. “The advantages it offered enabled us to hit the ground running and having acquired the former Moy Park plant, we were processing products before the end of December 2006,” he said, adding that this was essential as the company has ambitious growth plans for the business with retail multiples in the Republic.

Minister Dodds welcomed the investment: “This £6 mln investment not only provides an important boost to the economy of Co Fermanagh but will also assist the development of the local food industry, one of our most successful sectors, particularly for markets outside Northern Ireland,” he said, addign that Western Brand is using the expertise, which exists in poultry and egg processing in the Lisnaskea area, to further develop its already successful business in the Irish Republic.