Flahavan’s this week announced investment plans of over €1m for their Kilmacthomas oat mill.
In all, a total investment package of €1.6m has been earmarked for the oat mill, now the only remaining mill of its kind in the country, in a move that will secure local jobs and the future of the 6th generation family enterprise.
So far €500,000 has been invested with the installation of dryers, which are capable of drying faster and are more energy efficient. And the company announced this week that a further €1.1m would be spent in the coming months in new storage units at the mill, which can store up to 4,000 tonnes and are being installed specifically for organic oats.
Company chairman John Flahavan said this was one of the largest strategic investment plans that Flahavan’s has undertaken at the mill and it would secure future employment. “Organic is a growing sector of their business accounting for 15% of sales and we expect that this will increase. We are also trying to encourage Irish farmers to grow more organic oats for the mill to meet the increased demand.”
One of Ireland’s longest family-run businesses, Flahavan’s has been operating in Kilmacthomas for over 200 years and has been a source of local employment for six generations.
