Glenisk facing uncertain future after devastating fire destroys plant
The Managing Director of the Glenisk dairy company’s manufacturing facility has admitted that the business is facing an uncertain future after a massive fire completely destroyed the premises yesterday (Monday).
In an interview on RTE’s Morning Ireland this morning, Vincent Cleary vowed to “regroup and find a way forward” but he also admitted that the landmark company, which produces the iconic Glenisk yogurt brand, is facing into an uncertain future.
Mr. Cleary told RTE that the massive fire which gutted the plant at Newtown, Killeigh, about 8km from Tullamore, had been a shock, but the company are determined to “get back on the shelves as quickly as we possibly can.”
He also reiterated his commitment to continue to provide “gainful employment” for his 50 staff, many of whom have been with the company for well over two decades.
At the time of writing, all line managers are currently involved in a meeting with the management team at Glenisk in an effort to find a way forward and to ensure that the company can become operational as soon as possible.
“Yesterday was a shock, during the night there were tears” Mr. Cleary told Morning Ireland, but he added that the company was also determined to find a way forward after the devastating fire, which broke out yesterday morning and completely gutted the manufacturing facility within hours.
Mr. Cleary told RTE that he had been “humbled” by the support of his competitors, many of whom had reached out to him to offer the use of their facilities.
In a touching post on the Glenisk Twitter account last night, the Glenisk Managing Director said the outpouring of love shown to the company had been “a beacon” on what he described as “the blackest of days.” He thanked “each and everyone” who had been in touch with the iconic company since the fire and vowed to be “back very soon.”
“Today was a bad day for Glenisk, but much worse for others in the world. Tomorrow’s a new day, here in beautiful Offaly” said Vincent Cleary, and he asked customers to “keep space in your hearts (and fridges)” and also asked that people consider making a donation to Self Help Africa’s campaign #OneMillionTrees Campaign, a charity he is very involved with.
Local Minister for State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Pippa Hackett, described the huge fire at the Glenisk plant as “devastating for the Cleary family, their staff, and also for the farmers who supply them” and she signalled her intention to travel to Tullamore today for a meeting with the management team to discuss the way forward for the company.
Minister Hackett described Glenisk as “a successful company, built from scratch” and added that she wanted to recognise “the extraordinary contribution” they had made to the organic sector.
Glenisk sources milk from up to 50 organic dairy farmers right across the country and is the destination for 90% of all organic milk produced in Ireland. They are also the leading supplier of yogurt to the Irish market, and also have a small share of the European market.
IFA Organic Project Team Chairman, Nigel Renaghan, said the fire in Glenisk could have “disastrous consequences” for organic milk suppliers, and he said it was also devastating for the Cleary family and the Glenisk brand.
“Glenisk suppliers must be safeguarded at this time, and alternative arrangements put in place for the processing of the milk,” he said.