"We'll Be Back" - Glenisk MD Vows To Rebuild After Devastating Fire

Tuesday, 28 September 2021 07:10

Their €8.5 million plant in Killeigh was destroyed in the blaze yesterday.

The Managing Director of Glenisk is vowing that they'll be back, after a fire destroyed their premises in Offaly.

The company is assessing the damage and say they'll move forward following the devastating blaze at their plant in Killeigh yesterday afternoon.

All staff were evacuated safely by emergency services who worked for over three hours to tackle the fire, the cause of which is not yet known.

Glenisk MD Vincent Clearly says it was hard to watch it happening:

Glenisk will today assess the extent of the damage to its yogurt manufacturing factory.

Millions of euro worth of damage was caused.

The company employs about 90 people, but none of the 50 staff present at the time were injured.

It's Glenisk's only manufacturing plant, and local Fine Gael councillor Neil Feighery says it's a very worrying time:

Junior Agriculture Minister, Pippa Hackett, will meet Glenisk today to discuss the tragedy.

Up to 90 staff face an uncertain future.

In a statement to Midlands 103, the Offaly Green Party senator says;

"The total destruction of the Glenisk plant, near Killeigh in Co Offaly, due to fire is devastating for the Cleary family, their staff, and also for the farmers who supply them. This is a successful business, built from scratch, and one of the main processors of organic milk in the country.

"As the Minister with responsibility for organics, I want to recognise the extraordinary contribution they have made to the organic sector, and I will be in Tullamore tomorrow evening to discuss the situation with them."

IFA Organic Project Team Chairman Nigel Renaghan has also responded to the fire.

He said it's devastating for the Cleary family and the Glenisk brand.

In a statement to Midlands 103, he added that;

“The fire could have disastrous consequences for organic milk suppliers. The facility handles the majority of organic milk across the island of Ireland.

Glenisk sources milk from approximately 50 organic dairy farmers across Ireland and it’s the destination for 90% of organic milk.

Up to now, the company had bolstered its sale of organic yogurts, following a period of growth since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

The number of staff employed by the firm had grown to 85 and it held the number one position in the yogurt market in Ireland with a 19% share.

“Glenisk suppliers must be safeguarded at this time, and alternative arrangements put in place for the processing of the milk."