The Daily Star Ireland
Leprino Foods, one of the world’s largest mozzarella producers, has announced it will close its manufacturing facility in Portlaoise, Co Laois, during the second half of 2026. The plant, which employs 132 staff, specializes in the production of mozzarella and string cheese.
Reasons Behind the Closure
In a statement, the company described the decision as “difficult but necessary,” noting that it followed an extensive review of the site’s operations. Despite efforts to improve efficiency and financial performance, Leprino said the Portlaoise facility could not achieve the level of sustainable improvement required.
“Closing the site will help ensure that Leprino can remain competitive while optimising its manufacturing footprint to continue meeting the evolving needs of customers,” the company explained.
Support for Employees
Leprino Foods confirmed it will work with employees individually to discuss the details of the closure and what it means for them. As part of the consultation process, staff will be given the opportunity to apply for positions at other Leprino sites, which could affect the final number of redundancies.
Paul Vernon, Chief Executive of Leprino Europe, acknowledged the disruption this decision will cause: “We understand the impact this announcement will have on our colleagues, their families, and the local community. We want to express our sincere gratitude to the talented team at Portlaoise. This decision does not lessen the value of their hard work or contributions.”
Production to Shift Elsewhere
Operations currently based in Portlaoise will be transferred to other Leprino facilities in Europe, specifically Magheralin in Northern Ireland and Llangefni in Wales. The company also stated it would continue exploring possible opportunities for the Portlaoise site with any third-party buyers or investors that might be interested.
A Global Dairy Giant
Leprino Foods is widely recognized as the world’s largest mozzarella producer and a major supplier of dairy-based ingredients such as lactose, whey protein, micellar casein, and sweet whey. The company employs more than 5,500 people globally and exports to 79 countries.
While the closure underscores the challenges facing certain manufacturing operations in Ireland, Leprino emphasized that the move is part of a broader strategy to streamline its global operations and strengthen competitiveness in a rapidly evolving dairy market.
