Kerry Dairy Ireland has unveiled its new corporate identity, Kinisla. The identity marks a new phase of growth for the majority farmer-owned business. The business also confirmed that it will create 100 new jobs across central and other functions over the next 12 to 24 months, building the expertise and capacity to support its next phase of expansion. The business entered a new phase in December 2024, when Kerry Co-Operative Creameries completed Phase 1 of its acquisition of a 70% shareholding in Kerry Dairy Ireland.

Kinisla, pronounced “Kin-EYE-la”, reflects the two defining aspects of the business: its people (farmers, farm families, innovators and employees) and the island of Ireland, especially the distinctive landscape of the southwest, where the business has deep roots.

The new identity was unveiled on May 18th at an event in Listowel, Co Kerry, attended by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon TD, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley TD, public representatives, milk suppliers, employees and customers, marking an important moment in the development of the business. ICOS CEO TJ Flanagan was also in attendance.

2025 was a landmark year for Kinisla, marked by the successful return of majority ownership to Kerry Co-op. In 2025, turnover increased to €1.4bn and EBITDA rose to €86.8m. Milk volumes processed increased by 5.2% to over 1.2 billion litres.

Commenting Pat Murphy, Chief Executive of Kinisla, said: “2025 was a landmark year for Kinisla and one that underlines the strength of the farmer-owned business we are building. We delivered a strong performance, with turnover of €1.4 billion and significant momentum across key parts of the portfolio, particularly Nutritional Ingredients and Dairy Consumer Foods.”

Chair of Kinisla, James Tangney said: “2025 was an important year for farmer members not least because of the return of majority ownership to Kerry Co-op, but because of what the business delivered in practice. Kinisla performed strongly, maintained a competitive milk price, processed over 1.2 billion litres of milk, and continued to strengthen the foundations for long-term growth.

“As Chair, and on behalf of the Board, I am confident that our business, under its new name as Kinisla, will continue to deliver a competitive milk price, long-term commitment to its suppliers, and lasting value for farmers, employees, suppliers and the rural communities that depend on them.”

The company says it will create 100 new roles in central and other functions over the next 12 to 24 months, adding the expertise and capacity needed to support the next phase of growth. Over the next five years, it commits to focus on expanding higher-value Nutritional Ingredients, strengthening its leading dairy consumer brands and investing in the manufacturing, innovation and sustainability capabilities that will shape its next phase of development. Nutritional Ingredients and Dairy Consumer Foods have been identified as the two priority areas, reflecting strong momentum in higher-value ingredients and branded snacking.

This strategy is supported by a planned €300 million capital investment programme over the same period. Pat Murphy said: “Over the next five years, we will invest in the pillars of the business with the strongest growth potential, particularly Nutritional Ingredients and Dairy Consumer Foods. That will include investment in manufacturing, innovation and sustainability, backed by a €300 million capital programme. Our focus is on building a stronger, more scalable business that can deliver long-term growth, a competitive milk price and lasting value for our farmer-owners.”

Concluding, James Tangney said: “This is a business that was built by farmers and is once again majority-owned by them, and this shapes everything we do. The investment we are committing to over the next five years is about building a business that delivers on milk price, sustainability, and long-term growth. Kinisla is the identity under which we will successfully build that future for our farmers and the communities connected to them.”