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Irish Examiner
42 minutes ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Tributes paid to Dawn Meats co-founder Dan Browne, a pioneer in Ireland's agri-food industry
Tributes have been paid following the death of a pioneering figure in Ireland's agri-food industry, Dan Browne, who co-founded global food giant Dawn Meats and helped grow it into a €3bn-a-year business. Mr Browne, who came from a farming background in Douglas, Co Cork, died peacefully at University Hospital Waterford on Tuesday, surrounded by his family. He was 88. The board of Dawn Meats — which today has annual revenue of €3bn and employs 8,000 people globally — led the tributes, describing Mr Browne as a visionary leader in Irish agriculture who made a profound impact on the agri-food and meat sectors. 'He was a remarkable leader and visionary, serving as Managing Director of Dawn Meats for 27 years and developing the business into one of Europe's leading meat processing companies,' the company said. 'He was also a valued member of the board of Dawn Meats and through his wise counsel, he continued to play a key role in the further success of the company. 'Through his work at Dawn Meats and his wider contribution to agriculture and the agri-food industry, Mr Browne leaves a lasting legacy and he will be greatly missed.' Mr Browne began his career as a research scientist. He worked with An Foras Talúntais, the agricultural research institute, initially at the grassland research centre at Johnstown Castle, Wexford, before moving back to Cork in 1959, where he developed a national dairy research centre at Moorepark, outside Fermoy. As the third scientist hired at Moorepark, he played a central role in developing it into a world-class research centre over the next 15 years. In 1974, he left research to join the meat industry, becoming manager of the Cork Marts IMP plant in Midleton. In 1980, Mr Browne co-founded Dawn Meats in Waterford alongside John Queally and the late Peter Queally, serving as managing director for 27 years. Under his leadership, the company rapidly expanded into one of Europe's top meat processors. He retired as managing director in 2007 but continued to serve on the board and advise senior management as the business grew to employ over 8,000 people in 12 countries, generating more than €3bn in annual revenue. The company sources grass-fed cattle and lamb from over 40,000 family farms for processing at its 11 Irish and 13 UK sites, exporting to more than 50 countries. It processes approximately one million cattle and 3.5 million sheep annually. In 2011, Mr Browne received an honorary doctorate of science from UCD, his alma mater, in recognition of his vision, innovation, and outstanding contribution to agriculture. He chaired the board at Teagasc from 1993 to 1998, led Bord Bia from 2008 to 2011, and had been chair of Waterford Airport since 2010. Mr Browne is survived by his wife Kay, children Paddy, Aoidín, Colm, Niall, and ten grandchildren. Niall has served as CEO of Dawn Meats since 2007. His requiem mass will take place at 11am on Friday at St Mary's Church, Ballygunner, Waterford, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. Read More Cork publican Benny McCabe hails city revival with opening of The Fountain bar
RTÉ News
10 hours ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
Dawn Meats co-founder Daniel (Dan) Browne dies at age 88
Dawn Meats has announced that its co-founder Daniel (Dan) Browne, has died aged 88. The company described Mr Browne as "a pioneering figure in Irish agriculture" who made an "outstanding contribution to the Irish agri-food industry, and the meat industry in particular". He served as managing director of Dawn Meats for 27 years and oversaw its development into one of Europe's leading meat-processing companies. In a statement, the board of the company expressed its "deepest condolences to Mr Browne's wife, Kay, and his family at this difficult time". Mr Browne came from a farming background in Douglas, Co Cork and started his career as a research scientist. He worked with the agricultural research institute An Foras Talúntais in Wexford (the precursor to Teagasc), before moving back to Cork in 1959, where he developed a national dairy research centre at Moorepark, outside Fermoy. In 1974, Mr Browne joined the meat industry, becoming manager of the Cork Marts - IMP plant at Midleton. Six years later, along with John Queally and the late Peter Queally, he established Dawn Meats. Mr Browne retired from his role as managing director in 2007 but continued to be a board member of the company. He also chaired the boards of Teagasc from 1993 to 1998 and Bord Bia from 2008 to 2011.
Irish Independent
12 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
‘A pioneering figure in Irish agriculture' – Co-founder of Dawn Meats Dan Browne dies at the age of 88
The Board of Dawn Meats expressed its 'deepest condolences' to Mr Browne's wife, Kay, and his family. A spokesperson said Mr Browne was a 'pioneering figure in Irish agriculture and made an outstanding contribution to the Irish agri-food industry, and the meat industry in particular'. 'He was a remarkable leader and visionary, serving as Managing Director of Dawn Meats for 27 years and developing the business into one of Europe's leading meat processing companies,' they said. 'He was also a valued member of the board of Dawn Meats and through his wise counsel, he continued to play a key role in the further success of the company. 'Through his work at Dawn Meats and his wider contribution to agriculture and the agri-food industry, Mr Browne leaves a lasting legacy and he will be greatly missed.' His funeral mass will take place on Friday, June 27, at St Mary's Church, Ballygunner, Waterford, at 11am. Mr Browne was from a farming background in Douglas, Co Cork, and started his career as a research scientist. He worked with An Foras Talúntais, the agricultural research institute, initially at the grassland research centre at Johnstown Castle in Wexford before moving back to Cork in 1959 where he developed a national dairy research centre at Moorepark, outside Fermoy. He was the third scientist to be recruited to Moorepark and was central in building a world-class centre there over the following 15 years. In 1974, Mr Browne left the world of research and joined the meat industry, becoming manager of the Cork Marts — IMP plant at Midleton. ADVERTISEMENT In 1980, Mr Browne, along with John Queally and the late Peter Queally, established Dawn Meats. He served as managing director of the company, a position he held for 27 years. Under his leadership, Dawn Meats quickly developed into one of Europe's leading meat processing companies. Mr Browne retired from his role as managing director in 2007, but continued to be a board member of Dawn Meats and a key adviser to the company's leadership as it grew into a business with over €3 billion in annual revenue, employing over 8,000 staff in twelve countries. In 2011, Mr Browne was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science from UCD, where he had previously studied, in recognition of his vision, leadership, innovation and outstanding contribution to agricultural developments. Mr Browne was Chair of the Board at Teagasc from 1993 to1998 and Chair of the board of An Bord Bia from 2008 to 2011. He was Chair of Waterford Airport since 2010. Mr Browne is survived by his wife Kay, children Paddy, Aoidin, Colm, Niall and ten grandchildren. Niall has served as Chief Executive of Dawn Meats since 2007.
