Dawn Meats has announced that processing of beef at its dedicated facility at Carrolls Cross, Waterford, for McDonald’s outlets across Europe is to recommence on 25th May. The company says this is welcome news for the employees concerned, the wider Irish beef sector and for Irish beef farmers.
The plant ceased production for McDonald’s on the 18th March, so for more than two months the plant has remained inactive. Dawn was able to redeploy all 50 affected employees to other parts of its business to cater for the increased demand from Irish retail customers and a surge in online meat sales. Team members will now return to the McDonald’s plant in accordance with enhanced protocols, allowing production to recommence smoothly to meet the required demand as McDonald’s restaurants begin the re-opening process both in Ireland and across other European markets.
Niall Browne, CEO of Dawn Meats said: “The reopening of Carrolls Cross is great news for staff and our supplier farmers, and an important confidence boost for all who have been affected by the closure of restaurants and the loss of the associated production. We are particularly pleased that we have been able to maintain secure employment for all staff, thereby ensuring our ability to swiftly restart production as restaurants reopen on a phased basis as planned.”
In line with all Dawn Meats facilities, the company says a comprehensive range of measures has been introduced to ensure social distancing and a safe production environment is maintained at all times. This includes enhanced cleaning of contact surfaces and communal areas, installation of protective perspex screens and issuance of visors for use by staff.
This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.
