MAJORITY farmer-owned business Kerry Dairy Ireland unveiled its new corporate identity, Kinisla, this week, as well as reporting a strong preliminary 2025 performance, and announcing a €300 million five-year investment programme.

It was 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.

Its new identity of Kinisla, pronounced “Kin-EYE-la”, reflects the two defining aspects of the business, they say. Namely 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.

“It speaks to both the heritage of the business and its focus on future growth, anchored by unwavering commitment to quality, sustainability and innovation,” said a Kinisla spokesperson.

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The new identity was unveiled at an event in Listowel on Monday attended by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon, Minister for Children Norma Foley TD, public representatives, milk suppliers, employees and customers,

A spokesperson said 2025 marked the successful return of majority ownership to Kerry Co-op. Turnover increased to €1.4bn and EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation) rose to €86.8m.

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.

“We did so while maintaining a very competitive milk price for our farmers and continuing to invest in the people, capabilities and sustainability measures that will support our next phase of growth and deliver for our farmer-owners across the Munster region. Our performance in 2025 gives us a strong platform as we step forward under our new name as Kinisla, with a business of real scale, strong momentum and a clear plan for the future,” said Mr Murphy.

Chair of Kinisla, James Tangney said 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”.

“For our farmers, that must mean more than strong business performance alone. It must also mean practical support on the ground through initiatives such as our commitment to sustainability across the business through the Evolve RegenDairy Programme and a clear commitment to generational renewal, so that farm families have the confidence to invest, plan for succession and see a strong future for the next generation on the land.

“That confidence is also strengthened by the security that comes from long-term milk supply arrangements and a business committed to backing its farmers for the years ahead. 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,” said Mr Tangney.

As an immediate signal of intent, Kinisla will create 100 new roles over the next 12 to 24 months and a planned €300 million capital investment programme over the same period.

Mr Murphy said: “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.”

Mr 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.”