Bandon Co-op creates 50 jobs

A TOTAL of 50 new jobs are to be created in Kinsale, at a Bandon Co-op mill, over the next three years.

The jobs were announced this week by Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney TD at the co-op’s recently acquired feed mill in Kinsale.

‘Bandon Co-op has a very long and proud tradition in West Cork.  Founded in 1903, it was one of the first co-ops to be established in the region and it has grown to become a very vibrant organisation with three very successful business units – the agri division, the retail division and the dairy products division,’ said the Minister.

‘Bandon Co-op’s 255 milk suppliers have ambitious plans for future milk expansion and I’m encouraged to see the support base being put in place by Bandon co-op’s Board and management team in order to take full advantage of the post quota expansion,’ he added.

Bandon Co-op now employs a total staff of 250 across its three divisions having created 40 jobs over the past two years.

‘With this acquisition, Bandon Co-op now purchases in excess of 15,000 tonnes from local grain growers and plans are in place to make additional investments to further improve sustainability for customers and the environment,’ the Minister also said.

Another new and very different facet of the business is the acquisition by Bandon of a stevedoring (dockside loading) licence. This is a new venture for the Co-op and has coincided with Cork County Council’s investment of €1.1m in Kinsale Pier.