Irish Pet Foods Officially Opened
Irish Pet Foods, based at Westport in County Mayo, has been officially opened. The new business, which manufactures dry dog and cat food, currently employs six people and this number will increase to 15 within two years. It is owned by prominent Turkish businessman Rasim Selçuk, who has already invested €3 million in the project and expects to invest another €2 million building up the business.
Enterprise Ireland has been an integral part of establishing the Westport plant and has worked closely with Rasim Selçuk since he took over the ex-fish food manufacturing plant two years ago.
Rasim Selçuk originally came to Ireland with the intention of purchasing machinery from the Skretting fish food manufacturing plant on Roman Island in Westport. The west of Ireland town made a deep impression on him, and instead he acquired the entire factory complete with machinery and set about changing it to a pet food manufacturing unit. Today it is a high spec, fully automated feedmill plant capable of producing top quality, high-end products.
Irish Pet Foods has already established export markets in Turkey and plans to expand to the UK and other European countries in the near future. The business currently manufactures economy food under the brand name ‘Buddy’ and is in the process of launching super premium brand ‘Pets Choice’ and a second economy brand called ‘Yes’.
Rasim Selçuk says: “My dream of officially opening Irish Pet Foods is now a reality. I would like to thank Enterprise Ireland for all the support they have given me and my team throughout this process. I look forward to Irish Pet Foods becoming an integral part of the Westport business landscape over the coming years.”
Michael Cantwell, manager of Enterprise Ireland’s Food Division, comments: “A key objective for Enterprise Ireland is attracting Food Foreign Direct Investment Projects into Ireland. Enterprise Ireland has worked closely with Rasim Selçuk over the last three years and we are delighted that the outcome is this new, state-of-the-art pet food manufacturing plant in Westport. This is a great example of how a rural location like Westport can become home to a new business with the drive, commitment and global ambition to create 15 local jobs within two years. Enterprise Ireland looks forward to working with Irish Pet Foods to help them scale their business, sustaining and creating jobs in Ireland.”
