Clon's pudding comes ‘home'

BY EMMA CONNOLLY 

CLONAKILTY Food Company’s new €7m factory will open next Monday in the West Cork town where the brand originated.

CEO Colette Twomey said the day represented a milestone in the business’s history and would be the first time its world-famous black and white pudding would be made in the town in 18 years. 

A total of 45 jobs have so far been created at the new 5,000 sq m premises. 

Many of these will be filled by workers who will transfer from its Little Island facility, which will now close.

However, the planned growth of the company will create well over 100 additional jobs over the coming years. 

Further investment in technology and machinery will also see them diversify with new products such as flavoured sausages, said Ms Twomey. 

The business already exports to the UK and mainland Europe but the new factory gives us endless opportunity and capacity to scale up internationally – it’s a very exciting time for the company,’ the award-winning businesswoman said. 

The new production facility, based on the outskirts of the town, will also be home to a visitor centre which will open next summer. 

It will tell the story of the brand, its history and tradition, and offer an opportunity to see first hand how it’s made.

‘We could not have made our dream a reality without the support of so many local people,’ she said. ‘Clonakilty is a fantastic place to live and do business in.’  Clonakilty native Tara McCarthy, CEO of Bord Bia, will open the new facility. 

An open day will take place at the factory on Monday from 1pm-7pm, to which all are welcome.