Minister Robert Troy visits Panelto Foods’ new expanded bakery in Longford
Expansion of the new facility, completed in 2020, has brought 110 additional new jobs to Longford town and employment in Panelto Foods to 240
Print27 July 2021
Following a major expansion in 2019, Panelto Foods’ purpose-built state-of-the-art bakery facility in Longford was recently visited by Minister of State with responsibility for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Robert Troy.
In 2019, Panelto, supported by Enterprise Ireland, completed a doubling of the size of its Longford facility adding 110 jobs to bring employment in the facility up to 240 people.
Established in Longford in 2004, Panelto Foods is a high technology bakery producing premium quality breads for in-store bakeries in the major supermarket chains in Ireland and the UK.
Working in conjunction with technology partners, including the Irish Manufacturing Research Centre in Mullingar, and with Enterprise Ireland through its lean manufacturing supports, Panelto has recently invested in emerging robotic technologies to deliver enhanced product characteristics and to improve factory efficiencies.
Panelto has also put in place upskilling initiatives for staff members including e-learning courses with Sligo IT and has also partnered with TU Dublin to support scholarships for six students participating in New Food Technology and Mechanical & Design Engineering courses.
During the Minister’s visit, Panelto management had constructive discussions with Minister Troy on growing the export potential of the Irish bakery sector and addressing the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.
“It is a strong endorsement of both Longford and the Midlands when companies such as Panelto not only establish operations but continue to innovate and thrive there,” Minister Troy said.
“Collaboration and investment will be key to our recovery and I am pleased that through our agency, Enterprise Ireland, and collaboration with the Irish Manufacturing Research Centre in Mullingar, Panelto continues to transform and improve their product offering for consumers both here and overseas, thus supporting jobs and the regional economy. As we look to emerge from the pandemic stronger and more resilient, it is always positive to see companies innovate and embrace technological change to be competitive and successful in addressing market challenges.
“Panelto is a good example of how a vibrant Irish food company investing in enhanced technology can underpin company growth in challenging markets,” the Minister added. “Buying food produced from all areas of the island will generate and sustain jobs and stimulate the economy across rural Ireland. Like many Irish food companies exporting to Britain, Panelto Foods has faced and addressed complex Brexit and Covid challenges while continuing to grow the business in the past year. Today’s visit was a great opportunity to see this in action and I wish them every success with their expansion.”
Chief Executive of Enterprise Ireland, Leo Clancy said also congratulated Panelto on its expansion and commended “the global ambition of this indigenous company to compete at the highest level, supplying to some of the largest retailers in the UK and Ireland”.
Chief Executive of Panelto Foods, Brian O’Grady, thanked the team at Longford for the “tremendous commitment shown in what has been a challenging year.
“I would also like to thank all our stakeholders for their support, most importantly our customers, our suppliers and Enterprise Ireland for their continued support,” he added.
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