Silver Hill Duck in Co Monaghan plans to construct a new purpose-built, facilities expansion at its Emyvale site, representing an investment of more than €30m. The new facility will allow the company to significantly increase its processing capacity, from the current 80,000 to 120,000 ducks per week.
A new pet food processing plant is also being developed as part of the expansion and the existing plant will also be modernised. Notification to grant planning permission was received from Monaghan County Council on the 15th March 2023.
This followed the approval of the Drip Irrigation system by the EPA on the 10th March to install a full scale, state-of-the-art drip irrigation system to comply with EU Water Quality Directives, following the successful completion of a comprehensive trial piloted from August 2021 to January 2023. The planned expansion has the potential to increase employment at the site by some 50 employees.
In addition, it will create significant direct and indirect employment during construction and longer term through the expansion of Silver Hill Duck's outside contract grower model that offers farmers, both North and South of the border, the opportunity to generate income from a sustainable family farm enterprise.
Subject to the completion of the planning process, construction will begin over the summer of 2023 and is expected to be completed and the new plant operational by the end of 2024, employing 270 people.
Speaking to Northern Sound in relation to the announcement, Micheál Briody, Managing Director of Silver Hill Duck said; “This expansion has been planned for a number of years and we are delighted to be in a position now to move forward with our plans. This is an important step forward in the company’s long history and builds on the success we have achieved in recent years in both domestic and overseas markets. It means that the premium Silver Hill product we have developed over many years and established a worldwide reputation for, can continue to be prepared here in Emyvale, providing local jobs and enhancing Ireland’s reputation as a top quality food producer.
“With the expansion of our operations here in Emyvale to create capacity for increased production we will be able to avail of the opportunities for growth in new markets, safeguarding Silver Hill’s future so that it continues to be an important employer here in the North East and a significant contributor to the regional economy.”
