The producer of Monster Energy branded drinks is to double its Irish workforce at Athy in Co Kildare to 100, after Kildare County Council granted planning permission to TSL Projects LTd for a large expansion of the American Fruit and Flavours Ireland (AFFI) facility.
This will double the company's workforce from 48 to "around 100" at Townparks Industrial Estate, Athy in County Kildare.
Owned by the NASDAQ listed Monster Beverage Corporation, AFF Ireland provides manufacturing and distribution of Monster Energy drink products across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
The Council granted planning permission after TSL lodged revised plans though consultants, Tony Bamford Planning (TBP) Town and Development Consultants stated that the fundamentals of the project remained unchanged including the gross floor area of the scheme.
The consultants stated that the key changes of the project relate to the external design of the extension in terms of the request for further information concerning the height and appearance of the building.
TBP stated that following discussions with Kildare County Council the overall approach has been to develop a more complex, contemporary design, moving away from the 'box' type, functional structure originally proposed.
Planning documentation lodged with the application stated that the requirement of the extended state of the art facility "is due to the ongoing commercial success of the business".
The application seeks to demolish AFFI’s existing nine metre high 1,770 sq metre and ancillary building of 692 sq metre and replace them with a two storey 14.5 metre high production building with a gross floor area of 7,495 sqm over two floors.
TBP told the Council in response to reduce height of the entire building, it was not feasible as it wouldn’t be possible to produce the products at the facility due to the equipment required.
The documentation lodged with the application stated that "America Fruit and Flavours is one of the largest flavour manufacturers and juice processors in the US".
The most recent accounts lodged show that American Fruit and Flavours Ireland DAC recorded revenues of €140.18m in 2021.
The firm recorded post tax losses of €65.9m after incurring non-cash amortisation costs on intellectual property of €115m.
The directors' report points out that the company recorded a profit before tax and amortisation of €51.1m.
The directors state that they expect that the company will be profitable in future years.
The planning documentation lodged with the Council states that the planned expansion "will improve the fulfilment of orders to EMEA customer locations".
Tony Bamford Planning (TBP) state that "the investment will ensure current production and employment levels are maintained, and grow in a sustainable manner into the future".
TBP state that "this is a major investment for AFF", and that "the purpose of this development is to create an upgraded, modern, automated production plant facility".
The facility is to be operated on a 24 hour per day, 5.5 day per week basis across 286 days per year.
The planning application included a letter of support for the development by IDA Ireland.
Reporting by Gordon Deegan
