Pictured at the Red Mills Store Kilkenny official opening are: Michael Connolly, Joe Connolly, and Bill Connolly of Connolly's Red Mills with EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan.
Nutritional animal feed company, Connolly’s Red Mills, has today announced 20 new jobs for Kilkenny. The jobs boost is created by the official opening of a new equestrian and agri super store in Cillín Hill, Kilkenny by the Connolly family.
Responsible for feeding over one third of the world’s top Longines racehorses in Europe and Asia, Connolly’s Red Mills now export to 74 countries. The opening was attended by European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Phil Hogan and Australian Ambassador to Ireland, Richard Andrews.
Since 2015, the global workforce of Connolly’s Red Mills has increased by 100 jobs. Today’s announcement brings the total employed by the family run business to 320.
Run by the fifth generation of the Connolly family, Connolly’s Red Mills sources up to 50 per cent of its grains locally from local South East farmers who they say “grow some of the best oats, barley and wheat in the world”.
The products are manufactured from the company’s purpose built headquarters in Goresbridge, Co Kilkenny.
CEO of Connolly’s Red Mills, Joe Connolly says “We remain heavily invested and committed to our home county of Kilkenny. We are delighted our new store is bringing 20 more new jobs to our local area.”
“This store will not only fly the flag for our business but for Kilkenny, the South East and the equine industry in Ireland as we will be welcoming some of the world’s leading trainers and equine managers here” Mr Connolly concludes.
Speaking at the event, Phil Hogan, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development said “Since 1908, Connolly’s Red Mills has been fostering rural development and job creation in the South East of Ireland. Connolly’s continue to support local farmers, generate employment and of course fuel winning race horses all over the world.
As EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, I love to see successful rural based businesses who continue to grow their presence both domestically and internationally in action, and especially so when it's on home turf."
Connolly’s Red Mills precision nutrition products are also available in over 400 other outlets across Ireland. The new equestrian, agri, pet and outdoor fashion store will stock a selection of premier brands such as Dubarry, Baleno, Musto, Jack Murphy and Horseware Ireland, many of which are exclusive to Connolly’s Red Mills.
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For more details or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Bridget O’Dea, Purcell Masterson on 0831717950 /bridget@purcellmasterson.com
