HJ Heinz European Frozen and Chilled Foods, which operates the Dundalk chilled pizzas plant, is expanding with an Enterprise Ireland-backed investment of $9 million (€10.1 million) and the creation of over 60 new jobs.

It is to establish a new European frozen and chilled foods strategic headquarters in the Dublin area, a European frozen and chilled foods shared-services facility at Dundalk, and expand its frozen ready-meals production facility in Dundalk, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Mr Walsh, has announced. Heinz now employs some 400 at the existing operations which generate annual sales of £55 million (€70 million).

It has been operating in the State since 1993 when it established its initial manufacturing facility in Dundalk to manufacture chilled pizzas for the British market. This was followed by new frozen meal products under the Weight Watchers from Heinz brand, together with branded frozen pizzas and "bagel bites". The new investment is the result of a global review of the Heinz operations by the parent company whereby the group has decided to position the Republic in a key role for its entire frozen foods business in Europe.

Mr Walsh noted: "The Government's strategy for the development of the Irish food industry is focused on growth in a number of key sectors. Of primary importance is the high value-added prepared consumer foods sector and this investment is in line with that strategy". Noting that the Republic is now ranked as the seventh-most competitive economy in the world, he said that "investments such as this one confirm this position".