Bantry Bay Seafoods, formerly Bantry Bay Mussels, is one of west Cork's quiet success stories. Established fewer than 10 years ago, the company, which employs 150 people, is now exporting its produce, mainly mussels and prawns, to France, the UK, Italy and Germany and has just announced an £8 million development at its Bantry headquarters.
New equipment now being installed under the expansion project will produce ready-to-cook seafood meals for the domestic and export markets.
Grant aid has come from Bord Iascaigh Mhara, the EU and Enterprise Ireland under the Operational Programme for Fisheries.
Mr Denis O'Driscoll, joint managing director, said Bantry Bay Seafoods had recently received approval from the American Food and Drugs Administration to sell its products in the US and this was a major bonus in the drive to expand the business. Last year, the company's exports were valued at £7 million.
The sophisticated operation means shellfish harvested in Bantry Bay on a Friday can be served up in European restaurants by the following Tuesday. It will take a little longer for the seafood to reach diners in Boston and California. The plan now is to increase the product range using the greater capacity of the processing facilities.