Latest news with #GaryDavies
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
New cheese plant in Boherbue marks €15m investment in rural Cork
The new plant is owned by Ingredient Solutions Ltd., one of Ireland's leading cheese solution providers, and sits on a 7-acre site in Boherbue, close to the company's existing plant. Founded in 2000, the company now exports to over 40 countries. Around four times larger than the current site and with five production lines, the new plant will enable the company to scale from 12,000 to 27,000 tonnes of produce annually, with future expansion potential to 35,000 tonnes, according to Managing Director Gary Davies. With the company currently employing around 100 people, Davies predicted that number will rise by around 50 workers over the next eight to ten years. 'We've built this facility not just to meet today's needs, but to secure our ability to innovate and grow in the years ahead,' he said. Speaking at the opening, Davies said: 'It's a proud day for our staff, our community, and for Ian Galletly, our founder, whose vision brought Ingredient Solutions to life 25 years ago. This facility is the result of his dream—backed by Rupp, AIB, and Enterprise Ireland—and designed to grow with us into the future.' The ribbon-cutting event was attended by government representatives, industry leaders, and local stakeholders, including John Broekmans, CEO of Rupp (Ingredient Solutions' Austrian-based parent company); Cllr Joe Carroll, Lord Mayor of Cork; Cork North-West TD Michael Moynihan, and Cllr Bernard Moynihan, while Fr. Jim Kennelly blessed the facility. The Rupp CEO highlighted the company's long-term commitment to the locality: 'This factory is more than bricks and stainless steel. It's a promise—to our employees, our customers, and to Boherbue. We are here for the long term. Together, we are building not just cheese, but a future.' Broekmans acknowledged the deep ties between Rupp and Ingredient Solutions since the 2022 acquisition, calling the new facility 'a continuation of the legacy we've built together. This moment represents not just a new chapter for our company, but it's also a renewed commitment to the community that has stood by us for twenty-five years." Cllr Moynihan spoke about the long journey to the opening of the new plant, recalling early planning meetings, community backing, and the essential role of Boherbue Co-Op: 'This factory will export to over 70 countries and generate €100 million in export trade. But more importantly, it's an investment in people—in jobs, in families, and in the future of rural Ireland. Boherbue has always punched above its weight, and today, we take our place on the world stage.' The Kanturk-Mallow Councillor said the recent upgrade to the wastewater treatment plant in Boherbue paved the way to securing the new cheese plant. "The crucial, crucial thing to make this plant happen today was because we had the €9 million-wastewater treatment plant. It's a fantastic investment in Boherbue for housing, for shops, for development, for everything." The upgrade, which was carried out by Uisce Éireann, in partnership with Cork County Council, modernised and improved the performance and capacity of the plant and has improved the quality of treated wastewater discharged into the Brogeen River, a protected conservation area and home to the freshwater pearl mussel. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Mayor of County Cork, Cllr Joe Carroll, also underlined the importance of the local infrastructure in his words at the opening. "This is a day of celebration not only for Ingredient Solutions but for the entire local community. Cork County Council has been proud to support this development, particularly through our investment in the nine-million-euro upgrade of the wastewater treatment plant here in Boherbue. This critical infrastructure paved the way for growth like we're seeing today, enabling businesses to expand, create jobs and contribute to the local community." Michael Moynihan, Fianna Fail TD for Cork North-West and Minister of State at the Department of Education and Youth, said: 'This is not just a local success story—it's a strategic investment in the future of food production in Ireland and beyond. As the global population grows, Ireland must lead in producing sustainable, high-quality food. This facility proves rural communities like Boherbue are more than ready to meet that challenge.' Production at the new plant is scheduled to begin in July and will consolidate Ingredient Solutions' growing reputation as a global leader in cheese manufacturing. The company has also launched a refreshed version of Ingredient Solutions' Yellow Road brand—named after the English translation of 'Boherbue'—targeting new markets in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Cork food firm Ingredient Solutions opens new €15m cheese production facility
Cheese processing firm Ingredient Solutions is aiming to push turnover beyond €130m and begin recruiting new staff with the opening of a new €15m production facility in Co Cork. Ingredient Solutions opened 25 years ago, on the site of the old Boherbue Creamery in Duhallow. A quarter of century later, the company is preparing to move production into its new state-of-the-art seven-acre plant 200m away, as it looks to export to 70 countries. Turnover at Ingredient Solutions has now reached €65m annually, making 14,000 tonnes of cheese products. 'With the opening of the new plant, we are now looking to double that turnover over the coming years,' said chief executive Gary Davies. Ingredient Solutions provides cheese ingredients and products across many sectors of the food industry, with cheese products made in Boherbue on supermarket shelves across Ireland and the UK, and products used in the food industry right across the world. The cheese produced includes everything from grated and sliced cheeses to pizza toppings and vegan alternatives, with the bulk of the cheese used in production sourced locally. The cheese is sold globally in the food trade under the 'Yellow Road' brand, with the name coming from the English translation of Boherbue. In May 2022, Australian private cheese firm Rupp bought out Ingredient Solutions but Rupp has continued to invest in the Duhallow plant. Rupp Board members Laura Rupp, John Broekmans, Mathias Gattermayer, Daniel Marte, Stefan Walter, and Ingredient Solutions managing director Gary Davies. The new facility opened on Tuesday and production will begin there next month, boosting capacity, exports, and long-term employment in the Duhallow region. It includes 5,000 square metres of production and storage space, increasing chilled capacity to over 1,600 pallets and enabling the company to scale from 12,000 to 27,000 tonnes annually, with future expansion potential to 35,000 tonnes. 'We've truly outgrown our original facility in terms of capacity. We've built this new facility not just to meet today's needs, but to secure our ability to innovate and grow in the years ahead,' Mr Davies told the Irish Examiner. Mr Davies said that from a company started by founder Ian Galletly with five employees in the year 2000, Ingredient Solutions now employs close to 100 people in Duhallow, North Cork, with plans to recruit around 50 new staff in the next eight years. The Ingredient Solutions management team: Back row: Agnieszka Sobkow - Finance Manager; Tadgh Corkery, UK and Ireland Sales Manager; Paul Aherne, production Manager; Gary Davies, managing director; Ian Galletly, former managing director; Esther Linehan, HR and Finance Manager. Front Row: Suma Lakshmana, technical manager; Karen O'Callaghan, export manager, Ted Healy factory manager, Claire O'Gorman - procurement manager. The event was attended by government representatives, industry leaders, and local stakeholders, including John Broekmans, chief executive of Ingredient Solutions' Austrian-based parent company Rupp, Mayor of Co Cork Cllr Joe Carroll, Minister of State Michael Moynihan TD, Cllr Bernard Moynihan, and Fr Jim Kennelly, who offered a blessing of the facility. 'This is not just a local success story — it's a strategic investment in the future of food production in Ireland and beyond," said Deputy Moynihan. "As the global population grows, Ireland must lead in producing sustainable, high-quality food. This facility proves rural communities like Boherbue are more than ready to meet that challenge.' "Ian Galletly arrived here 25 years ago with a dream, and he delivered. What was once a shed is now a world-class production site."
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Yahoo
Officer dubbed 'the octopus' admits being 'tactile'
A police superintendent nicknamed "the octopus" by female colleagues has admitted to a misconduct hearing that he was a "tactile person". Dyfed-Powys Police's Supt Gary Davies is accused of gross misconduct, including allegations he touched two women at a staff Christmas party 2017. The 58-year-old from Bridgend faces further claims, up to 2021, that he referred to the appearance or sexuality of women, giving them nicknames like Ferrari, Rolls-Royce and Porsche. He denies fostering or contributing to a "boys' club" atmosphere or acting in a discriminatory manner. He also denies his alleged actions amount to gross misconduct. Supt Davies told a panel in Carmarthen on Monday that he had 'no knowledge' women claimants had dubbed him "the octopus". They cannot be named for legal reasons, but told the panel last week he was known for being "tactile". Sergeant who hit man on floor guilty of misconduct Ex-police officer jailed after cattle prod attack Ex-police officer jailed for sexually abusing girl One said Supt Davies' hands "had gone around her waist" and he "pulled" her back towards him, making her feel uncomfortable. Under questioning from his barrister, Gerard Boyle KC, he admitted he was a "tactile person" at that time. He told the panel that he had "no sexual interest in those individuals" and expressed his apologies to the affected colleagues. Supt Davies also said "no one raised concern" about his management or behaviour at the time. In response to the allegation he compared women to luxury cars, he said, "I immediately thought 'Oh, I had compared [the claimant] to a Rolls Royce'". He said he had "no-recollection" of making sexual comments about female colleagues. Mr Davies admitted to texting a female colleague asking her to run away with him, saying he was inspired by the film Thelma and Louise that he had recently watched. He told the panel he wanted to be a police officer "from a young age", joining the force in 2002 and getting promoted to superintendent in 2019. He said he was "devastated" to be served misconduct papers in 2022, causing him to become "emotionally unstable" and leading to the breakdown of his marriage. Whilst being questioned by Mr Boyle KC, Supt Davies said he underwent therapy to deal with his anxiety. "I needed to re-evaluate myself and the decisions I'd made", he said. The hearing continues. Corrupt police officer jailed for stealing safe PC sacked for smashing ex-girlfriend's phone in row Officer who broke wife's back barred from police
BBC News
31-03-2025
- BBC News
Carmarthen: Officer dubbed 'the octopus' admits being 'tactile'
A police superintendent nicknamed "the octopus" by female colleagues has admitted to a misconduct hearing that he was a "tactile person". Dyfed-Powys Police's Supt Gary Davies is accused of gross misconduct, including allegations he touched two women at a staff Christmas party 58-year-old from Bridgend faces further claims, up to 2021, that he referred to the appearance or sexuality of women, giving them nicknames like Ferrari, Rolls-Royce and Porsche. He denies fostering or contributing to a "boys' club" atmosphere or acting in a discriminatory manner. He also denies his alleged actions amount to gross Davies told a panel in Carmarthen on Monday that he had 'no knowledge' women claimants had dubbed him "the octopus". They cannot be named for legal reasons, but told the panel last week he was known for being "tactile". One said Supt Davies' hands "had gone around her waist" and he "pulled" her back towards him, making her feel questioning from his barrister, Gerard Boyle KC, he admitted he was a "tactile person" at that told the panel that he had "no sexual interest in those individuals" and expressed his apologies to the affected Davies also said "no one raised concern" about his management or behaviour at the time. In response to the allegation he compared women to luxury cars, he said, "I immediately thought 'Oh, I had compared [the claimant] to a Rolls Royce'". He said he had "no-recollection" of making sexual comments about female Davies admitted to texting a female colleague asking her to run away with him, saying he was inspired by the film Thelma and Louise that he had recently told the panel he wanted to be a police officer "from a young age", joining the force in 2002 and getting promoted to superintendent in 2019. He said he was "devastated" to be served misconduct papers in 2022, causing him to become "emotionally unstable" and leading to the breakdown of his being questioned by Mr Boyle KC, Supt Davies said he underwent therapy to deal with his anxiety. "I needed to re-evaluate myself and the decisions I'd made", he hearing continues.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Man forced to pay dead father's £3,000 car fines
A bereaved man claims he was forced to pay £3,000 after Birmingham City Council pursued him for a Clean Air Zone fine incurred by his late father. Gary Davies told the BBC he felt like an "absolute loser" after he was unable to convince the local authority his father had died. The 52-year-old roofer said trying to get through to someone to argue his case had been like "talking to a brick wall" and he would now take legal action against bosses. The council defended its administration of the scheme and said opportunities for challenge were very clearly set out. The zone was launched in 2021 as part of plans to tackle poor air quality and introduced daily fees for older vehicles driving in the city centre. A report in January found it had made a "significant" contribution to reducing pollution. But in the years since its introduction, it has been repeatedly criticised as seemingly innocent people face thousands of pounds in fines. Others have said it is difficult to get in touch with the local authority to dispute charges, and claimed the council has been unwilling to listen. Mr Davies, from Tamworth, explained he had to hand over £3,000 when enforcement agents clamped two vehicles outside of his property. He is yet to get his money back despite supplying a copy of his father's death certificate, and said the ordeal had made grieving more difficult. "I was on the phone for two-and-a-half hours one day trying to speak to somebody," he said. "It makes you feel like you're an absolute loser because nobody will listen to you." The BBC phoned the council's Clean Air Zone hotline to see how long it would take to get through to someone. It took half an hour to ascertain which buttons to press to get through to a person, and when we finally managed this, they explained they were only able to offer advice - and told us to go online. Cynthia Nodanche said enforcement officers demanded £1,000 after she drove her non-compliant Vauxhall Antara through the Clean Air Zone but forgot to pay. The 41-year-old executive assistant had only just moved to Birmingham, and claimed her fines ballooned after they were sent to the wrong address. She said the "confusing" system could discourage people from moving to the city and urged the council to be more flexible. "I don't know why they only give you a short timeframe to pay the fine," she said. "They should give people notice of one or two weeks more." Councillor Majid Mahmood, cabinet member for environment and transport, said the local authority followed a statutory enforcement process for the issuing and enforcement of penalty charge notices. "A penalty charge notice is sent to the address of a registered keeper of a vehicle based on the information held by the DVLA at the point it is issued," Mahmood said. "The opportunities for challenge are very clearly set out at each stage of the process so that anyone issued with a penalty charge notice understands how they can pay or challenge it." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Bailiff letters issued over CAZ charge typo Electric car driver hit by £3.5k clean air charges Man who cannot drive sent more than 200 fines Birmingham City Council
