The Irish Dairy Board had opened a $12 million (€8.8m) cheese manufacturing facility in the US, completing an $80m (€58.8) expansion on its US food ingredients programme.

The IDB first entered the US food ingredients market in 2008, and acquired Thiel Cheese & Ingredients in 2011.

The new facility, at Thiel Cheese & Ingredients in Wisconsin, was officially opened by Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney.

IDB CEO Kevin Lane said the innovations and research developed at Thiel “will be shared across all of our operations”.

The focus of this investment is on innovation as much as production with our new facility enhancing our ability to create innovative food solutions that meet the evolving needs of our US customer base and their brands.

Commenting on the opening, Coveney said the new plant will “further strengthen the positioning of Ireland and Irish agri-business expertise in the United States, as well as supporting the economic well-being of Irish farmers.”

The minister said the dairy sector is “entering an exciting time” with the abolition of milk quotes in April 2015 and “today’s opening represents the kind of investment which will help the sector realise its true potential”.

The IDB, a co-op of Irish dairies, is Ireland’s largest dairy exporter and exports to over 100 countries. Its portfolio includes Kerrygold, Pilgrims Choice, Dubliner cheese and the milk powder BEO.

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