Keelings officially opened its new €20m flower processing facility at FoodCentral in St. Margaret’s, north county Dublin on Tuesday, 4th July 2023. The event, which was attended by Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment Simon Coveney TD, marks a significant milestone in Keelings pioneering growth strategy to double our flower business in the next seven years.
The new state of the art facility covers 8,500 square meters (91,000 sq.ft.), surpassing Keelings previous site in Ballycoolin, and provides ample space for the company’s expansion plans. The new building, designed with the well-being of the 115 Keelings Flowers team members in mind, offers features such as natural lighting, ergonomic work stations, temperature control, and soundproofing. It also includes contemporary offices, modern changing rooms, and a spacious cafeteria, enhancing the employees’ quality of life and work-life balance.
Sustainability and resource recovery have been built into the design of the building from the beginning. Automated systems gather plant off-cuts for composting, ensuring minimal waste. Additionally, the heat generated from refrigerated rooms is effectively captured and utilised to warm other areas, minimising energy consumption. Rainwater is also collected and reused throughout the production process, effectively reducing water usage. The facility’s fully digital systems eliminate the need for paper and documents, contributing to a more efficient and environmentally friendly operation. Moreover, a sedum roof garden has been incorporated to support the local ecosystem and promote the well-being of pollinators like bees.
Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment, commented, “This modern and sustainability-focused new facility is evidence of Keelings ongoing commitment to Ireland as a great place to do business. We are delighted to see so many jobs being sustained by the business, and Keelings will be looking to increase headcount in line with business growth in the coming years. I wish them well into the future.”
Keelings Flowers began in 1995 in Dublin City Flower Market, and since then has grown to supply retailers across Ireland with a number of offerings, from its own “Love to Grow” premium brand, which features seasonal daffodils and Irish-grown Lilies. Keelings also provides private label cut flowers and bespoke plant arrangements tailored to the customers’ needs. The public can also experience Keelings quality through its direct-to-consumer website, MadFlowers.com.
Caroline Keeling, CEO of Keelings, added, “The aim of our flowers business is to bring joy. This fantastic new facility enables us to deliver fresher, brighter, and longer-lasting flowers and plants to the people of Ireland to brighten their homes and their lives. I’m delighted the way the building has been built around people’s needs.
Keelings Flowers currently produces 5 million bouquets per year. In alignment with their dedication to quality, Keelings actively partners with the best local and international suppliers ensuring the highest-quality products for their customers. In a sign of the 97 year old family company’s breadth and scope, the company owns and farms over 3,000 acres across Ireland, Costa Rica, and Brazil, and sources from 46 countries worldwide, employing over 2,700 people from 58 nationalities across 7 different countries.