€15m development and 70 new jobs another major boost for Longford – McFadden

Fine Gael TD for Longford/Westmeath, Gabrielle McFadden, has today (Friday), paid tribute to C&D Foods for delivering another huge boost to Edgeworthstown and County Longford with the opening of a €15 million production facility and the creation of 70 new jobs.

“This expansion in Edgeworthstown will create the biggest, most modern and efficient pouch petfood production facility in Europe.

“For more than forty years, C&D has been a significant Longford employer and one which continues to make a huge contribution to the local economy. In the last seven years alone, the family run company has invested more than €55 million in Edgeworthstown.

“Even as it continues to grow its sizable European operations, C&D is still deeply rooted in the economic and social fabric of Edgeworthstown and Longford.

“Much of the success has to go down to the business acumen of the Reynolds family, notably the late Albert Reynolds and now his son Philip, the company’s CEO. That entrepreneurial spirit was never more evident than in 2006 when C&D’s canning facility was ravaged by fire and the new production facility is an extension to the plant that was built after the fire.

“I am especially delighted that the Government’s regional job creation programme is helping to bring benefits to Longford. County Westmeath has been the beneficiary of recent job announcements but it’s clear, there has been a renewed focus on the need to attract more investment into County Longford.

“In that context, I want to complement the work of Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton’s and his department, which through Enterprise Ireland, have provided financial support for C&D’s investment programme.

“As one of the largest employers in Longford, C&D has shown by this major expansion that Edgeworthstown and Longford remain very much at the heart of its operations.”