Our April 2018 Business Briefing, is to be held at UCC – Tyndall National Institute, Mardyke, on Wednesday April 18th starting at 6.15pm (sharp) and is to have the CEO of a local company which is Strategically Growth focused,    Sustainable,   Ambitious, Well Invested and has a Global Footprint.

Jim Woulfe

Mr Jim Woulfe, CEO of Dairygold Co-Operative Society Limited Ireland has graciously accepted our invitation to present to us. Jim is at the helm of Dairygold since 2009, he was previous head of their Agri Division & Business and also held senior roles in HR and Milk Supplies.

 Jim will share with us Dairygold’s Success Story, Driving Innovation and Business Growth in an Evolving and Volatile Business Environment.

The discussion focus on Dairygold’s history, Capital investments programme and Finalising strategic partnerships with the knock-on economic benefits being delivered to the wider Cork region. Dairygold’s capital investment programme is delivering a state-of-the art high tech dairy processing infrastructure at their Mitchelstown and Mallow plants.  Cork and the wider Munster region is significantly benefitting economically from Dairygold’s success and growth.

Brexit Impact

The UK vote to leave the EU presents a very significant challenge to the Irish agri-food industry, especially the dairy sector. The UK is Ireland’s largest market for cheddar cheese and butter with nearly 60% of cheese production and 25% of butter exported into that market. Jim will give an insight to a number of Strategic Initiatives Dairygold are executing in preparation for Brexit. This is a unique opportunity for member companies to listen as to how Dairygold are dealing with this challenge.

 Dairygold Story

Dairygold is Ireland’s largest farmer-owned co-operative, are a global company and have an annual turnover of €800m. The coveted Cork Company of the Year award, was won by Dairygold in 2017 in recognition of its Strategy Execution and is cited as being

‘a company that has sustainably grown its business, increasing employment and developing its people, while adapting to an evolving and volatile business environment’. 

Dairygold have continued to build value added partnerships with some of the biggest international brands and despite the market challenges they continue to incrementally build the strength of the business.

Through Innovation and Technology they have become a major global player in Dairy Nutrition, supplying premium cheese and dairy ingredients to the global marketplace. With the global population set grow significantly by 2050, Dairygold have a long-term vision and strategic plan in place to feed the world. By becoming a preferred supplier of nutritional ingredients, they will ensure better returns for our shareholders, and supply premium nutritional ingredients to the world.

After the presentations, there will be a networking opportunity with light refreshments served.

The CEIA would like to thank Jim for taking the time to talk with us and to our hosts in UCC, Tyndall National Institute who generously agreed to hold this event at their site