Co Kildare company has major plans for expansion in New Mexico

A Co Kildare based company is now in advanced discussion about a multimillion plan at its New Mexico plant.

Food company Glanbia is in advanced discussions about a $140m project with its joint venture partner South West Cheese to expand cheese and whey production at its New Mexico plant.

The expansion will take two years and will boost production capacity by 25%.

Glanbia said it is experiencing a surge in demand for whey-based performance nutrition products such as protein shakes, widely used now by sportspeople of all abilities to aid recovery and muscle repair after exercise.

In its interim management statement, Glanbia said its revenue was up 9% over the first nine months of the year compared to the same time in 2014.

This was driven mainly by its performance nutrition division, the company said.

The outlook for the remainder of the year is positive, Glanbia's managing director Siobhán Talbot said. Ms Talbot also reiterated the company's full year guidance of adjusted earnings per share growth of 9% to 11% on a constant currency basis - if exchange rates remain at current levels for the rest of the year.