KEPAK GROUP ACQUIRES SUMMIT FOODS TO EXPAND CONVENIENCE FOOD OFFERINGS
Kepak Group has announced the acquisition of Summit Foods, a UK-based company specialising in chilled and frozen…
Kepak Drives Sustainability Progress Through Regenerative Agriculture Initiatives
As part of Meat Industry Ireland’s (MII) newly launched video series on sustainability, Kepak is proud to…
Kepak Invests €8 Million in State-Of-The-Art Kilbeggan Factory
Kepak has invested €8 million in its Kilbeggan facility in Co. Westmeath to enhance market access, quality, and…
Kepak Launches “Forward Together with Every Step”
A Bold New Sustainability Platform for a Sustainable Future.
Kepak is excited to unveil Forward Together with Every Step, our new sustainability communications platform aimed at driving meaningful change across the farming sector, our operations, and the communities we serve. This initiative embodies our commitment to fostering a more sustainable future through collaboration, innovation, and tangible action.
KEPAK SHEARFEST 2024 – All-Ireland and All Nations Sheep Shearing Championships come to Mountbellew this June.
A weekend of sheep-shearing, family fun, and more is coming to Mountbellew at the Mart Grounds on the June Bank Holiday weekend, 1st-2nd June, 2024. This elite event, sponsored by Kepak Group, is expected to draw 20,000 visitors and is being held in Mountbellew for the first time. Competitors from across Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, France, Australia, and New Zealand will gather for the largest dedicated sheep event in Ireland in 2024.
Kepak Athleague partners with Roscommon Women’s Network to support 110 local families this Christmas
Kepak Athleague has partnered with Roscommon Women’s Network Cycle Up programme to provide support to 110 families within the local community with food and gifts this Christmas. Kepak Athleague has sponsored the making and delivery of food and gift bags by Roscommon Women’s Network to South Roscommon Family Resource Centre and Castlerea Family Resource Centre to families in need. The bags were made by members of the Roscommon Women’s Network Cycle Up programme.
Kepak appoints Niamh Marshal to Board
The Board of Kepak Group, the leading Irish Food company, is pleased to announce the appointment of the distinguished Corporate Financial Services professional, Niamh Marshall, as a non-executive director.
Niamh brings to the Board a unique experience set from her stellar career in the Irish financial services sector, primarily through her very successful and varied tenure with KPMG for some 26 years. Niamh holds the distinction of being the first female to be appointed a Partner in KPMG Ireland.
Kepak appoints Brian Farrell as new CEO of Kepak Foods
Kepak Group, is pleased to announce the appointment of experienced food business professional Brian Farrell as its new CEO of Kepak Foods Division.
Speaking about the appointment, Kepak CEO, Simon Walker, said: “We are delighted to have Brian join the Kepak team as CEO of our Foods Division. Brian is a leader with a proven track record in managing businesses for growth and driving acquisitive development. I look forward to working alongside Brian and wish him every success in his new role.”
GROCER GOLD AWARDS 2023: SUPPLY CHAIN INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR
Kepak stood out from the crowd with the rollout of its automated packing line, implemented on its Rustlers range at its Kirkham factory last year.
The new, state-of the-art tech replaced three high-energy usage machines. Not only was the line more efficient, but it also removed the need for plastic shrink wrap, previously required on all Rustlers products.
MEATH LADIES ON SCHOOL VISITS AS PART OF NEW INITIATIVE
Kepak is marking the historic success of the All-Ireland winning Meath Senior Ladies football team with an initiative that links the squad and primary schools across Meath.
Every primary school attended by a player from the All-Ireland winning squad will be presented with a framed jersey and squad picture of the player involved. Players from the double All-Ireland winning team will be visiting over 25 primary schools in the coming weeks and over 10,000 primary school students will get the chance to meet members of this history-making Meath team.
KEPAK MERTHYR HOSTS MINISTERIAL VISIT AND OUTLINES MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO LOCAL ECONOMY
A major, multi-million contribution to the local economy by Kepak Merthyr and plans for future investment and expansion were highlighted during a visit to the meat processing site by Vaughan Gething, Minister for the Economy of Wales. The Minister heard how the site contributed over £200 million annually to the local economy in wages and livestock purchase during a visit to the plant on the Pennygarnddu Industrial Estate, purchased by the Kepak Group in 2018.
Kepak Group and Nexer in strategic partnership to support innovation
Nexer have entered a two-year strategic partnership with leading Irish food company, Kepak Group to support in modernising its key legacy applications and provide solid foundations for further long-term growth. The functions include finance, stock management, production, and sales. The partnership will allow for the implementation of a suite of business application solutions using Microsoft Dynamics 365 technology. Nexer hope this will be the start of a much longer partnership which will last for many years.
KEPAK AWARDED GOLD AT GROCERYAID AWARDS
Kepak has been recognised with a GroceryAid Gold Award. The award was received as recognition for the…
KEPAK GROUP ANNOUNCES SIGNIFICANT THREE YEAR- SPONSORSHIP RENEWAL OF ALL-IRELAND WINNING MEATH LADIES GAELIC FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
Kepak Group, a leading Irish food company, has today announced a significant three-year renewal of its hugely…
KEPAK APPOINTS MARGARET BERRY AS NEW HEAD OF SUSTAINABILITY
Kepak Group, the leading Irish Food company, is pleased to announce the appointment of experienced food business…
KEPAK OFFERS PASSPORT FOR FUTURE CAREER
Leading British food manufacturer Kepak has become the first food business in the UK to offer free…
KEPAK GROUP APPOINTS DISTINGUISHED FOOD BUSINESS LEADER FLOR HEALY TO ITS BOARD
The Board of Kepak Group, the leading Irish Food company, is pleased to announce the appointment of…
APPRENTICESHIPS PROVIDING KEPAK WITH APPETITE FOR MORE
Creating its own internal trainers to develop the next generation of employees has been central to the success of building a skilled workforce at a major Merthyr Tydfil employer.
Kepak Group Limited is investing in its own talent and facilities as part of a fresh learning and development strategy, with a blueprint for skills development, apprenticeships, succession planning and management development.
“This process quickly became the framework that took unskilled employees to semi-skilled employees in just three months,” said Jeremy Jones, HR operations manager UK for the international food company that specialises in meat production at its Merthyr Tydfil operation.
KEPAK ACHIEVES ORIGIN GREEN ‘GOLD’ FOR COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITIES AND SUSTAINABILITY
Food Group retains Gold Membership status at Origin Green Awards Kepak recognised for dedication to community projects…
Kepak Site Director Elected as VP of the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers
Alan Brown, site director at the McIntosh Donald factory based at Portlethen, Aberdeen, has been elected as…
Kepak Group appoints Human Resources Consultant Orla Coughlan to its Board
The Board of Kepak Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Human Capital Consultant and Leadership…
Kepak Celebrate International Women’s Day
We believe that a more diverse and inclusive workforce results in better decisions, more innovation, and an increased talent pool. Kepak values have always rewarded hard work and passion regardless of gender, age, race, or beliefs. Today we have a large multicultural workforce and take a proactive approach towards ensuring an inclusive work environment. With that in mind, we are active participants and members of the Grocery Aid D&I programme, Bord Bia AgDiF & Meat Business Women.
Kepak invests €250,000 in culinary science-driven food innovation partnership with TU Dublin
Kepak has invested €250,000 in a culinary science-driven innovation partnership with Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) to…
Kepak’s Twenty20 Club reigns supreme at sixth-annual World Steak Challenge
Kepak Group achieved a stellar 13 awards, including six golds at the sixth-annual World Steak Challenge. Leading…
Kepak secures significant investment to develop and diversify at four key sites
Kepak is pleased to have secured a significant investment under the Government’s Capital Investment Scheme for the…
RUSTLERS BREAKS INTO MEAT MIMICKING
Rustlers, the £111.6m chilled ready meals brand from Kepak, has announced plans to launch a meat mimicking…
Kepak announces €15 million Green Partnership with ActionZero
Kepak has announced a €15 million Green Partnership with ActionZero. This partnership will form a key…
Kepak takes home top prizes at renowned annual Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards
Kepak achieves Gold Award for exclusive Inspired by Centra Irish Angus Sirloin Steaks with Pink Peppercorn sauce…
Kepak Group only Irish meat company to achieve ‘Exemplary Performance’ for biodiversity at Origin Green Awards
Kepak Group, has become the only Irish meat company to achieve ‘Exemplary Performance’ for biodiversity at Bord…
Sligo’s Flipside Named Ireland’s Best Burger for 2021
Sligo’s Flipside Named Ireland’s Best Burger for 2021 Annual awards take place ahead of National Burger Day…
Kepak Group CMO Appointment
Kepak Group has appointed Adrian Lawlor to the role of Group Chief Marketing Officer. In addition to…
Battle for Ireland’s Best Burger Begins in Support of Foodservice Sector
Fourth annual National Burger Day to take place on August 12th Simon Communities in Ireland will receive…
Local Collaboration: Macroom Burger Launch
Kepak, the leading Irish food company, has launched an innovative burger partnership with Ireland’s only artisan buffalo…
KEPAK GROUP PARTNERS WITH SUPERVALU TO LAUNCH FIRST EVER LAMB PRODUCER GUIDELINES
Kepak Group, the leading Irish food company, has become the first Irish meat producer to introduce Lamb Producer Guidelines to support farmers in producing best-in-class Irish lamb in accordance with the highest animal welfare and environmental standards.
Kepak developed the guidelines in association with Ireland’s largest retailer, SuperValu. Both Kepak and SuperValu are committed to sourcing the highest quality produce from Irish farms that adhere to strict animal welfare guidelines and that are dedicated to enhancing sustainability practices on their farms. These factors contribute to high animal and food safety, as well as sustaining and enhancing the quality of Irish lamb for consumers, while protecting the natural environment and biodiversity for years to come.
Kepak Appoints Prof. Damien McLoughlin to Its Board
The Board of Kepak Group, the leading Irish Food company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Prof. Damien McLoughlin as a non-executive director.
Prof. McLoughlin is Anthony C. Cunningham Professor of Marketing and Marketing Subject Area Head at UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, specialising in agribusiness strategy and marketing.
Kepak Group Announces Major Sponsorship of Dunboyne GAA development
St Peter’s GAA Club Academy Facility To Be Named ‘Kepak Park’ As Part of 10-year partnership.
Kepak Group is proud to announce a significant new partnership with St Peter’s GAA Club, Dunboyne, that includes naming rights to the new St Peter’s Academy facility – Kepak Park.
The partnership agreement, which involves significant investment by Kepak over the next 10 years in support of the Club’s major €2.5m development plans, also includes primary sponsorship of their annual club summer camps. This partnership follows the announcement by Kepak last year that it had agreed on a three-year sponsorship deal with Meath Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) until the end of the 2022 season.
A Look Inside Kepak’s 2021 Sustainability Report
We at Kepak believe that sustainability should not be a side-line effort. It should be part of everything we do, a way of doing our job every day. We have a heritage that is rooted in sustainable development, via a lean manufacturing approach and company values that were established by our founder Noel Keating. Today we are driven by our company purpose of ‘Meat at our heart, innovation our driver, nutrition our future’ and our sustainability strategy Kepak CORE, which is our blueprint for sustainable growth.
Kepak Shortlisted for Prestigious International Marketing Award
Kepak is delighted to have been shortlisted for the prestigious International Marketing Award at the nation’s premier marketing event, the All-Ireland Marketing Awards (AIMs).
Through this nomination, the Kepak team behind the Rustlers brand has been recognised for the innovative, perception-altering ‘Better Than You Think’ campaign.
Rustlers, which is owned by Kepak, is one of the largest Irish-owned food brands with a presence across Ireland, Germany, Belgium and Holland complimenting a significant UK presence where it has a retail sales value of more than £115.4m.
KEPAK BOOSTS CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN THROUGH NEW PARTNERSHIP
Women working at Kepak will gain access to an industry-leading suite of career development tools and mentoring opportunities as part of a new strategic partnership with Meat Business Women, the female-led group that champions women in the global meat industry.
As a sponsor and strategic partner, Kepak secures priority access to Meat Business Women’s programme of events, networking opportunities, and mentorship schemes. It will also provide expertise and input into the group’s strategic direction and support its wider ambition of raising the profile of women in the meat industry.
Kepak Group Covid 19 Update
Kepak Group is designated as an essential service provider, ensuring that there is an adequate and quality supply of food available to customers and consumers throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Our factories, therefore, have remained safely operational, since restrictions began in March.
At Kepak, the health and safety of our staff, customers and suppliers is our top priority. As such, since early March, we have implemented a wide and comprehensive range of Covid-19 control measures, including physical distancing and additional hygiene protocols, at all of our 13 locations across Ireland and the UK.
The Group has also established a Covid-19 Response Team at each of its sites, tasked with implementing the wide-ranging protocols and control measures to protect our employees who are officially designated as essential workers.
Kepak Targets Welsh Apprenticeships to Upskill Its Workforce
Kepak has signed up to the Welsh Government’s Apprenticeship Programme to upskill and develop its workforce, upskilling 50 staff in the first phase of apprenticeships, increasing to around 100 staff within a year.
Our long-term aim is to offer an apprenticeship framework to all our employees at Merthyr Tydfil as there is a particular need to attract and develop skilled butchers who are in short supply across the UK meat industry.
Kepak Group wins 8 awards at annual Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards
Now in its 13th year, Blas na hEireann, The Irish Food Awards, is the biggest competition for quality Irish produce on the island of Ireland. Over 2500 products were entered into the competition to win Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards in a broad range of food and drink categories, we’re excited to announce that Kepak Group has claimed eight awards at this year’s prestigious Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards, including the ‘Best in County’ supplier award for Cork.
Kepak secures USDA approval to distribute UK beef products in the US
We are delighted to announce that Kepak Group have been awarded United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approval for the supply, marketing and distribution of premium beef products into the US market from its UK St Merryn, Merthyr Tydfil site. This USDA approval will see Kepak’s UK grass-fed, fully traceable and hormone-free beef products being marketed and distributed to the foodservice and retail sectors across the US.
NATIONAL BURGER DAY GOES VIRTUAL IN AID OF SIMON COMMUNITIES AROUND IRELAND
National Burger Day pivots online, and with every burger purchased and shared online a meal will be donated to Simon Communities around Ireland.
The day that burger lovers across Ireland have been waiting for is returning. On Thursday 25th June, National Burger Day, sponsored by Kepak, Flipdish and Blenders is going virtual – encouraging Irish burger enthusiasts to come together online, share a burger, celebrate everything that we love about burgers, and champion the food heroes feeding Ireland during lockdown!
In addition, for every burger purchased from your local burger joint and photo shared online, National Burger Day will provide a meal to Simon Communities Around Ireland. So, not only does every burger you buy support your local food businesses but also provides a meal to those who need it most.
Kepak backing Meath Ladies Gaelic Football Association
At Kepak Group we are delighted to announce a significant sponsorship deal with Meath Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) until the end of the 2022 season.
Kepak has been headquartered in Clonee, Co. Meath since the foundation of the company in 1981 and we remain committed and active in the local community. This sponsorship represents a new phase in our strong history with Gaelic games in Meath; Kepak and Meath GAA enjoyed one of the longest and most successful relationships in Gaelic football, featuring a 14-year sponsorship of the men’s team.
Our new partnership with Meath LGFA underscores Kepak’s commitment to supporting local communities, providing Meath LGFA with essential funding which will positively impact teams at every level. The agreement means our logo will reappear on Meath county jerseys and on new branding at Páirc Tailteann in Navan.
Kepak announce Welsh Black cattle scheme
Partnership with Welsh Black Cattle Society to provide a premium to suppliers
Kepak Group has today announced an exclusive scheme which will provide a premium to suppliers of quality Welsh Black cattle.
Kepak’s Welsh Black Beef Club, in partnership with the Welsh Black Cattle Society, will be based on the quality and sustainable supply of Welsh Black beef and promote the further development of the breed.
The scheme will be available from January 2020 to producers who can supply Welsh Black cattle that meet Kepak’s quality standards, including defined specifications and criteria yet to be confirmed.
A Look Inside Kepak’s 2019 Sustainability Report
Sustainability is More Important Now Than Ever Before
So, for a business that has grown from seven to 14 manufacturing sites across Ireland and the UK, and to offices worldwide, we’re well aware that it’s so important that we have a strong and robust sustainability strategy – one that ensures Kepak is doing its part across the whole value chain and beyond, from local communities to the wider world. We want to lead by example and that’s what you’ll see in our newly launched 2019 Sustainability Report.
“We at Kepak believe that sustainability should not be a side-line effort,” says Kate O’ Driscoll, Kepak’s Head of Sustainability, “It should be part of everything we do, a way of doing our job every day.”
Kepak Group Serving up ‘Sunday Roast’ to Those Affected by Homelessness
Kepak Group is pleased to announce it is to supply enough meat to table a ‘Sunday Roast’ to those affected by homelessness supported by the Simon Community at the charity’s primary city locations over the next year.
As part of its ‘Sunday Roast’ campaign, which was launched today by former ‘MasterChef’ judge Nick Munier, Kepak will be delivering a range of beef, lamb, pork and chicken products to Simon Community locations across Dublin, Cork and Limerick once a week for 12 months.
Kepak secures USDA approval to distribute Irish beef burgers in US
Irish brand becomes first European meat processor to access US burger market
Kepak Group has become the first ever European meat processor to be awarded United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approval for the supply, marketing and distribution of Irish beef in a value-added format of beef burgers into the US market.
The approval announced today at Anuga, the world’s largest trade fair for food and beverages in Cologne, Germany, secures access for Kepak to the US beef burger market which is currently valued at over $122bn.
Kepak wins an outstanding 16 awards at the annual World Steak Challenge
Kepak Group has claimed a staggering 16 awards at the fifth-annual World Steak Challenge.
Kepak triumphed on home soil over stiff competition, not only from Ireland but from large beef-producing countries around the globe, as this year’s competition saw entries from 24 different nations, representing the biggest field of contestants in the competition’s history.