News that Kerry Group is investing $125m in a new facility in Rome, Georgia, cements Ireland’s position as the ninth largest source of foreign direct investment into the US.
Enterprise Ireland today (11 March) revealed that Ireland has been confirmed as the ninth largest source of foreign direct investment to the United States.
According to the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Ireland’s FDI into the US stands at $235.7bn.
“We already employ nearly 6,000 people in 70 locations across the region and we are looking forward to growing our footprint in the coming years”
Today, over 900 Irish companies operate across all 50 states, employing 110,000 in the US.
Kerry expands
This was underpinned by the news that Kerry Group has announced the investment of $125m into a new world-class food manufacturing facility in Rome, Georgia.
The facility will provide Kerry Group with integrated taste and nutrition solutions to help their customers meet growing consumer demand in the poultry, seafood and alternative protein markets.
“North America is our largest market, and as such it is fitting that it is here that we announce our largest ever capital expenditure investment,” said Gerry Behan, global president and CEO at Kerry Taste & Nutrition.
“We already employ nearly 6,000 people in 70 locations across the region and we are looking forward to growing our footprint in the coming years. This new facility will be one of the most advanced and modern food manufacturing facilities in the world which will support our customers as they produce tasty and nutritious food products which will be consumed all across the US and Canada.”
Commenting on the announcement, Julie Sinnamon, continued: “Kerry Group has been a significant contributor to the Irish-US trading relationship. Employing 6,000 people across the country, today’s announcement further exemplifies the innovation, leadership and vision that has driven their success to date.”
In the US, Enterprise Ireland operates from New York, Boston, Austin, Chicago, Seattle, and San Francisco.
The figures were released ahead of a roundtable discussion on opportunities to advance partnerships between Irish and US businesses.
Facilitated by Enterprise Ireland, the meeting will take place later today in Washington DC. Senior executives from Kerry Group, Aerogen, Icon, NovaLeah and Kingspan will participate in the discussion, as well as Irish Ambassador to the United States, Daniel Mulhall, and United States Ambassador to Ireland, Edward F. Crawford.
Written by John Kennedy (john.kennedy3@boi.com)
Published: 11 March, 2020
