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Kepak Group is a major meat processor based in Ireland with 14 manufacturing facilities across Ireland and the UK and sales offices in Europe, the US, Asia and Africa. It processes and markets a broad range of fresh and value-added meat products for international foodservice and retail markets, employing over 4,500 people. Its products come from brands such as Rustlers, Big Al’s, Crafty Chef and John Stone, backed by consumer insight and research and development, and it is a founding member of Origin Green to emphasize sustainable farming and production. The company aims to grow the business and the careers and personal satisfaction of its people, expanding its international presence while maintaining high standards of quality, sustainability, and value for customers.
Industries
Food & Agriculture
Industrial & Manufacturing
Consumer Goods
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
Grant
Total Funding
$2.2M
Headquarters
Dublin, Ireland
Founded
1981
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Total Funding
$2.2M
Above
Industry Average
Funded Over
1 Rounds
Paid Vacation
Death in Service Benefit
Refer a Friend Scheme
Free On-Site Parking
Cycle to Work Scheme
Electric Vehicle Scheme
Long Service Awards
Gym Membership
Training Programs
Mentorship Program
GroceryAid Employee Assistance Programme
Financial Advice & Will Writing
Young Farmer Forum event in Kilbeggan focuses on innovation and resilience. Participants of the Young Farmer Forum gathered in the Midlands recently for the latest instalment of the programme, a collaborative initiative being carried out between Kepak and Musgrave. The Kilbeggan-based event provided participants with a unique opportunity to explore both on-farm innovation and the wider beef supply chain, reinforcing the programme's aim of equipping young farmers with the knowledge and skills needed to build resilient farm businesses. The day began with visits to two progressive beef enterprises, Noel and Eamon Dunne, and John Dooley who are both situated in Laois, before ending at Kepak's Kilbeggan Facility. The Dunne farm provided participants with an insight into succession planning and structured farm partnerships in driving on-farm investment. Operating a 130-cow dairy herd alongside a dairy calf-to-beef enterprise, the father-and-son partnership enabled the business to access grant support which facilitated the installation of two robotic milking units. This investment has significantly improved labour efficiency, herd management and work-life balance, while supporting the continued expansion of the business. By undertaking and investing in these developments, the Dunnes have created a highly efficient, scalable farming system that demonstrates how collaborative farm structures can unlock opportunities for growth and innovation. The second farm visit took place at the holding of John Dooley, who shared his experience of finishing cattle off grass using a zero-grazing system. John Dooley has been operating a zero-grazing system since 2018, producing high levels of grass and finishing store cattle without the use of chemical nitrogen fertiliser. The system uses fields of ryegrass and white clover, with slurry spread back onto the land in an environmentally-friendly way, while enabling soil to absorb as many nutrients as possible. Maintaining soil fertility is a key priority, with pH, phosphorus and potassium levels closely monitored to support clover performance and grass production. According to John, the combination of clover, slurry and sound soil management ensures the farm maintains a high stocking rate while significantly reducing reliance on purchased inputs. A key highlight of the day was the visit to Kepak's Kilbeggan facility. Hosted by Site Manager Conor Seery, the session included talks from two expert industry speakers. Laura Tully of Fit Farmers delivered an engaging presentation on mental and physical wellbeing, focusing on practical actions farmers can take to manage workload pressures, improve resilience and protect their long-term health. Participants also received access to the Fit Farmers platform to support ongoing wellbeing development. The financial aspect of farm development was addressed by Nicola Featherstone, Agri Advisor with AIB. Her presentation covered funding opportunities available to farmers, preparing for discussions with lenders and key considerations when investing in business expansion, technology and infrastructure. The Young Farmer Forum continues to bring together ambitious young farmers for a series of educational and networking events throughout 2026. By combining practical farm visits, industry exposure and expert-led learning, the programme aims to support the next generation of farmers in building profitable, sustainable and future-focused enterprises. Published: Tue 18 Aug 2026, 11:37 AM
Apprenticeships pivotal to Kepak's workforce success. Posted 23 June, 2026 Kepak graduates. Image: Cambrian Training Company International food company Kepak is continuing to drive workforce progression and combat industry skills gaps at its flagship Welsh facility by anchoring its growth strategy in work-based training. Developed in tandem with Cambrian Training Company, Kepak's comprehensive apprenticeship programme has established its Merthyr Tydfil meat processing plant and abattoir as the internal blueprint for talent development across the company's 14 manufacturing sites in the UK and Ireland. The site - which comprises two abattoirs, beef and lamb boning halls, and a massive retail and distribution operation - relies on tailored training pathways to cultivate its workforce from the ground up. Since 2020, a total of 73 employees have successfully completed their qualifications through Cambrian Training Company, with 47 personnel currently working toward their credentials and 13 finishing within the last six months alone. Building an internal talent pipeline. The apprenticeship frameworks at Merthyr Tydfil span from Level 2 up to Level 4, targeting specialised operational and administrative fields. Structured training pathways are currently offered in: * Core Technical Trades: Butchery, Meat Processing, and Technical Operations * Operational Leadership: Food Industry Team Leading, Technical Management, and Food Manufacturing Excellence. * Business Support: Management, Team Leading, and Business Administration. This multi-level approach provides clear upward mobility for entry-level staff, directly fuelling Kepak's internal succession planning. A prime example of this upward trajectory is Marcin Andrzejewski, who originally joined the company in 2007 as an agency packer. Today, Andrzejewski serves as the facility's lamb boning manager and is actively working toward a higher-level Apprenticeship in Management. "Apprenticeships are incredibly important to Kepak because they help us invest in the future of our people and our business," explained Jenna Hardie, Kepak's HR manager at Merthyr Tydfil. "Through apprenticeships, we've seen improvements in employee retention, skills development and internal progression, with apprentices often moving into more senior or specialised roles within the business." Hardie further noted that the initiatives have "helped strengthen productivity and engagement by developing employees who are highly trained and invested in the company's success," while simultaneously cutting external recruitment costs. A dedicated partnership. The success of the program highlights the value of a collaborative relationship between a major regional employer and a dedicated training provider. Hardie highly praised Cambrian Training Company's customised approach, stating that its "hands-on support, strong communication and genuine commitment to both the learner and the employer" set them apart. "They take the time to understand our business needs and ensure the apprenticeship programmes deliver real value for everyone involved," she added. Mark Hughes, Cambrian Training Company's operations manager, mirrored this sentiment following a recent biannual apprenticeship graduation ceremony held at the Royal Welsh Showground. "Kepak's commitment to apprenticeships is exceptional and the results speak for themselves," Hughes stated. "Their investment in developing people at every level has created a highly skilled, motivated workforce that continues to grow with the business. We are proud to work in partnership with a team that truly values learning and progression." Looking forward, Kepak intends to expand these learning opportunities as a core element of its broader "Kepak Kickstart" early careers programme, ensuring the local workforce is fully equipped to meet the demands of a modern, innovative food industry.
Mince recalled from Lidl and SuperValu over salmonella fears; here's what to check. Jun 14, 26 A number of pork mince products sold in Lidl and SuperValu have been recalled over fears they may be contaminated with salmonella. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) confirmed the recall, which applies to specific batches of Irish pork mince supplied by Kepak. All of the affected products carry a use-by date of June 16, 2026, meaning they may still be sitting in fridges in homes around the country this weekend. Shoppers are being urged not to eat the affected products. The products affected. Lidl Family Pack 100% Irish Pork Mince (800g) - use-by date 16/06/2026, batch number L5159, approval number IE 329 EC SuperValu Fresh Irish Pork Mince (400g) - use-by date 16/06/2026, batch number L5159, approval number IE 329 EC SuperValu Fresh Irish Pork Mince (800g) - use-by date 16/06/2026, batch number L6159, approval number IE 329 EC The FSAI has issued a Category 1 alert, and retailers have been told to remove the affected batches from sale immediately and display recall notices at the point of sale. What to do if you've bought one. If you have any of the affected mince at home, do not eat it. Return it to the store where you bought it for a refund, or dispose of it. The symptoms to watch for. Salmonella infection typically causes symptoms within 12 to 36 hours, though this can range from six to 72 hours. The most common symptom is diarrhoea, which can sometimes be bloody, along with fever, headache and abdominal cramps. The illness usually lasts four to seven days. The FSAI warned that the elderly, infants and those with weakened immune systems are more likely to suffer severe illness, and that in some cases the diarrhoea can be serious enough to require hospital admission. If you are concerned about your health after eating any of the affected products, you should contact your GP. This week's Top Stories
Tesco and Kepak launch 23% lower-carbon Irish beef range. According to the retailer, the product's carbon footprints is independently verified by the Carbon Trust 25 May 2026 Tesco in partnership with Kepak have launched a new Irish beef range which has been shown to be up to 23% lower-carbon than other equivalent Irish beef meat cuts or finished products. Verified by the Carbon Trust the new range is exclusively available across Tesco stores and online. The introduction of this range is a direct response to growing consumer demand for lower-carbon food choices and is a first-to-market launch in Irish retail. While research consistently shows shoppers care about sustainability, the primary drivers of purchase decisions remain taste, quality, and value, the retailer noted. Commenting on the announcement, Geoff Byrne, CEO Tesco Ireland and Northern Ireland, said: "At Tesco, ShelfLife know its customers want food that delivers on taste, quality, and value, but they also want to understand the impact of the choices they make. "The new Bright Meat Company range offers customers excellent quality Irish products they can feel good about putting into their baskets. "We are committed to collaborating with farmers, supply chain partners, and independent experts to support more sustainable food choices as we work towards our ambition to be net zero across the value chain by 2050." Twenty20 Beef Club The Bright Meat Company range is supplied through the Twenty20 Beef Club, a producer group of Irish farmers supplying cattle through Kepak's and Tirlán's integrated beef supply chain. Through the Twenty20 programme, farmers are supported to adopt more sustainable farming practices that help reduce environmental impact while maintaining high standards of animal welfare and beef quality, Tesco explained. This fully traceable farm-to-fork approach gives consumers confidence that the beef they are buying has been responsibly produced by trusted Irish family farms committed to a more sustainable future for food production, it added. Working with the internationally recognised Carbon Trust footprint label, the product carbon footprint of individual Bright Meat Company products has been independently verified against equivalent Irish beef meat cuts or finished products. This means shoppers can see verified 'lower-than' claims on pack, helping them to make more informed choices with confidence. 'Lower carbon footprints' Minister Martin Heydon, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, stated: "This initiative demonstrates how collaboration across farming, processing and retail underpinned by independent verification by the Carbon Trust can successfully lead to lower carbon footprints, while maintaining the high standards for quality that Irish beef is known for. "Promotion of sustainable food can hugely benefit Ireland, as a food producer, into the future." Brian Tormey CEO, Kepak, added: "Achieving independent certification from the Carbon Trust is an important milestone for Kepak and reflects the work being done across its business and supply chain to build a more sustainable and resilient beef production model. "It is important that we continue to work collaboratively with farmers, customers, Tirlán and our other industry partners to deliver measurable progress in a practical and commercially sustainable way. We see this as another step in strengthening the long-term competitiveness and credibility of our beef."
Exclusive lower-carbon Irish beef range now available in Tesco - verified up to 23% lower carbon footprint. 25 May 2026 A brand new lower-carbon Irish beef range has been officially unveiled on Tesco shelves, and launched by Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon and Tesco CEO, Geoff Byrne. Developed by Tesco in partnership with Kepak, the product carbon footprints of the Bright Meat Company range are independently verified by the Carbon Trust. The range, available exclusively in Tesco stores and online, offers an extensive new selection of Irish beef products combining excellent quality and taste with carbon footprint transparency. The product carbon footprint of the Bright Meat Company range has been shown to be up to 23 percent lower than other equivalent Irish beef meat cuts or finished products*. The introduction of this range is a direct response to growing consumer demand for lower-carbon food choices and is a first-to-market launch in Irish retail. While research consistently shows shoppers care about sustainability, the primary drivers of purchase decisions remain taste, quality, and value. The Bright Meat Company range bridges that gap, delivering great tasting Irish beef with lower-carbon product footprints than other market comparators, which are both credible and easy to understand for customers. The Bright Meat Company range is supplied through the Twenty20 Beef Club, a producer group of Irish farmers supplying cattle through Kepak's and Tirlán's integrated beef supply chain. Through the Twenty20 programme, farmers are supported to adopt more sustainable farming practices that help reduce environmental impact while maintaining high standards of animal welfare and beef quality. This fully traceable farm-to-fork approach gives consumers confidence that the beef they are buying has been responsibly produced by trusted Irish family farms committed to a more sustainable future for food production. Working with the internationally recognised Carbon Trust footprint label, the product carbon footprint of individual Bright Meat Company products has been independently verified against equivalent Irish beef meat cuts or finished products *. This means shoppers can see verified 'lower-than' claims on pack, helping them to make more informed choices with confidence. Geoff Byrne, CEO Tesco Ireland and Northern Ireland, said: "At Tesco, we know our customers want food that delivers on taste, quality, and value, but they also want to understand the impact of the choices they make. The new Bright Meat Company range offers customers excellent quality Irish products they can feel good about putting into their baskets. We are committed to collaborating with farmers, supply chain partners, and independent experts to support more sustainable food choices as we work towards our ambition to be net zero across the value chain by 2050." Minister Martin Heydon, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine added: "This initiative demonstrates how collaboration across farming, processing and retail underpinned by independent verification by the Carbon Trust can successfully lead to lower carbon footprints, while maintaining the high standards for quality that Irish beef is known for. Promotion of sustainable food can hugely benefit Ireland, as a food producer, into the future." Brian Tormey CEO of Kepak added: "Achieving independent certification from the Carbon Trust is an important milestone for Kepak and reflects the work being done across our business and supply chain to build a more sustainable and resilient beef production model. It is important that we continue to work collaboratively with farmers, customers, Tirlán and our other industry partners to deliver measurable progress in a practical and commercially sustainable way. We see this as another step in strengthening the long-term competitiveness and credibility of our beef." Tiph Aries, Associate Director Agriculture, Food & Drink, Carbon Trust said "As scrutiny of environmental claims increases, it can be tempting for organisations to pull back from talking about their climate action. But consumers still want clear, trustworthy information - and that's exactly what this verification delivers. By independently verifying the carbon product footprints of the Bright Meat Company range, we're helping communicate in a way shoppers can recognise and trust at the point of purchase." * When compared to data from the Bord Bia Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme (SBLAS) Independent verification through the Carbon Trust Kepak worked with the Carbon Trust to calculate and independently verify the cradle-to-grave carbon footprint of individual Bright Meat Company products against equivalent Irish beef cuts and finished products, using SBLAS-equivalent data provided by Bord Bia. All calculations were verified in line with ISO 14067 standards. Each eligible product carries the Carbon Trust footprint label on pack, confirming a lower carbon footprint than comparable Irish beef products on the market. For full details visit: //tesco.ie/brightmeatcompany
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Industries
Food & Agriculture
Industrial & Manufacturing
Consumer Goods
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
Grant
Total Funding
$2.2M
Headquarters
Dublin, Ireland
Founded
1981
Find jobs on Simplify and start your career today