Global Investors Contact Us Kerry About Sustainability Products Applications Insights Careers History Since 1972, we’ve helped shape and grow the global food industry with innovations to help consumers live better, feel better and eat better. Kerry About History Our food heritage From a small dairy company in the southwest of Ireland to a global multinational in under 40 years, the journey of Kerry tells a story of how belief and vision were combined to create a unique company. We’ve stayed close to our food heritage while drawing on expertise and inspiration from all over the world. We’ve created an organisation that is committed to helping delight and nourish consumers across the globe. How is Kerry different? We’re progressive and innovative with an eye for an opportunity, unafraid of change and constantly seeking better ways of doing things. We’re confident that our first 40 years are only the start of greater things to come for Kerry and all of our stakeholders. Kerry Group corporate history 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 1972 Began as a private dairy company in southwest Ireland before becoming a dairy co-operative in 1974 Kerry’s origins date back to 1972 when three shareholders – the state-owned Dairy Disposal Company, a group of eight small farmer co-operatives in Co. Kerry Ireland and the Erie Casein Company Inc. from the US – committed to invest €200,000 to finance a €1m dairy processing facility in Listowel, Co. Kerry. The aim was to manufacture milk protein (casein) for export to the US. Then known as North Kerry Milk Products Limited (NKMP), the company had a workforce of 40 people and a turnover of €1.3m. The following year, Kerry bought the state-owned Dairy Disposal Company including its interests in NKMP and its creameries. Kerry also acquired six of the eight independent co-ops, which held 42.5% of NKMP. This new private company became a subsidiary of the newly formed Kerry Co-operative Creameries Ltd (Kerry Co-op), which began trading in January 1974. Kerry started out as the smallest of Ireland's six major agricultural co-operatives in 1974, with sales in that year of €29m. From 1974 to 1979, Kerry expanded its milk business. The new co-op acquired the independent Killarney, Limerick and Ballinahina Dairies in 1978, which later became part of Kerry's Dawn Dairies, along with Galway and Moate Dairies. Get an insider perspective on food and beverage insights and innovations. KerryDigest Other Kerry Sites Kerry Group Kerry Health & Nutrition Institute Kerry Careers About Kerry History Connect with us Speak Up Contact Us Newsroom LinkedIn Sitemap Cookie Policy Legal Privacy Kerry Foods Privacy Policy © 2021, Kerry. All rights reserved.