The Heinz factory in Dundalk
Pre-tax profits at the main Irish arm of US food giant Heinz fell by 22% last year.
New figures from HJ Heinz Manufacturing Ireland Ltd (HJHML), who have a factory in Dundalk, show profits fell to £11.4m (€13.5m) after revenues slid 7% to £90.7m in the 12 months to the end of April.
The accounts for the Irish firm show that in a post balance sheet event, a cash dividend of £58m was paid one day after a dividend of £49m was received by HJHML from an Irish subsidiary.
The revenues for the Irish-based firm include sales in the Irish, UK, Swedish and French markets and, according to the directors’ report, revenues for the Irish operation increased by 5% in the period.
The company’s Irish operations are engaged in the sales, marketing and distribution of all Heinz brands.
The firm also manufactures healthy frozen ready medals and pizzas under the Weight Watchers brand and sells former brands of HP Foods.
The performance of the firm’s Irish subsidiary, HJ Heinz Company (Ireland) Ltd, is consolidated into the results of HJ Heinz Manufacturing Ireland Ltd.
Last month, the comapny announced that 29 jobs are set to go at the HJ Heinz plant in Dundalk as the company moves ahead with plans to cut 10% of its global workforce.
A statement from Heinz said they were reducing the workforce “to meet reduced production demands.”
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