The Heinz factory in Dundalk
Heinz is set to sell its frozen ready meals manufacturing site in Dundalk to The Authentic Food Company for an undisclosed sum.
The factory in the Finnabair Industrial Estate off the Inner Relief Road was opened in 1993 and produces the WeightWatchers from Heinz, Ross and Heinz Big frozen ready meal ranges. It currently employs 155 staff.
The proposed deal includes a three-year co-pack arrangement for The Authentic Food Company to continue to manufacture the products, with all Heinz staff expected to be retained under the new ownership arrangements.
In a statement, Heinz said it planned to continue working closely with The Authentic Food Company “to further develop the WeightWatchers from Heinz range, in addition to reviewing future opportunities for Heinz in frozen.”
The Manchester-based Authentic Food Company said it had plans for the continued expansion of its retail and foodservice business both in the UK and continental Europe “with the enhanced capability and capacity the site acquisition delivers.”
