Monster Energy to double Athy workforce with new plant
Facility that will double the company’s workforce from 48 to “around 100” at Townparks Industrial Estate, Athy in Co. Kildare
The producer of Monster Energy branded drinks is to double its Irish workforce at Athy in Co. Kildare to 100 in “a major investment” for the business.
Kildare County Council has granted planning permission to TSL Projects Ltd for a large expansion of the American Fruit and Flavours Ireland (AFFI) facility that will double the company’s workforce from 48 to “around 100” at Townparks Industrial Estate, Athy.
Owned by the Monster Beverage Corporation, AFF Ireland provides manufacturing and distribution of Monster Energy drink products across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The Council has granted planning permission after TSL lodged revised plans though consultants, Tony Bamford Planning (TBP) Town and Development Consultants, stated that the fundamentals of the project remained unchanged including the gross floor area of the scheme.
TBP stated that the key changes of the project relate to the external design of the extension in terms of the request for further information concerning the height and appearance of the building.
TBP stated that following discussions with Kildare County Council the overall approach has been changed to develop a more complex, contemporary design, moving away from the ‘box’ type, functional structure originally proposed.
Planning documentation lodged with the application stated that the requirement of the extended state-of-the-art facility “is due to the ongoing commercial success of the business”.
The application seeks to demolish AFFI’s existing nine-metre high-1,770 sqm building and ancillary building of 692 sqm and replace them with a two-storey 14.5m- high production building with a gross floor area of 7,495 sqm.
TBP told the Council in response to a request to reduce the height of the entire building, it was not feasible as it wouldn’t be possible to produce the products at the facility due to the equipment required.
The documentation lodged with the application stated that “America Fruit and Flavours is one of the largest flavour manufacturers and juice processors in the US”.
The most recent accounts lodged show that American Fruit and Flavours Ireland DAC recorded revenues of €140.18 million in 2021.
Tony Bamford Planning stated that “the investment will ensure current production and employment levels are maintained, and grow in a sustainable manner into the future”.
