Tirlán

Tirlán (known as Glanbia Co-operative Society Limited from 1999 until 2022) is an Irish dairy co-operative based in Kilkenny, Ireland. Its catchment area mainly covers the South-East and Midland regions of Ireland. Tirlán processes an annual volume of 3.2 billion litres of milk and handles 190,000 tonnes of green grain.[1]

As of 2024 it has 2,300 employees and revenues of €2.53 billion.[2] Tirlán is divided into three main business divisions: Agribusiness (retail stores and farm services), Consumer (consumer brands) and Ingredients (value added solutions).

The company rebranded as Tirlán following a corporate merger in 2022, in which ownership returned to its farmer-members. Its predecessor Glanbia plc will retain and continue to operate under the Glanbia name as an entirely separate entity. Tirlán remained the largest shareholder in Glanbia plc, with a 31.9% shareholding.[3]

History

1960–1983 – Formation of Avonmore and Waterford

Initially, co-operatives faced major downsides: they lacked significant capital-raising instruments that allowed for expansion and development, and they lacked the legal and financial protection afforded by corporate structures. To realise the benefits of scale and diversification, the 1960s many of these small, locally focused co-operative creameries across Ireland amalgamated. Waterford Co-op Society was formed in 1964 upon the amalgamation of Kilmeaden Co-operative, Carrick on Suir Co-operative, Dungarvan Co-operative, Gaultier Co-operative, and Rathgormack Co-operative.

Avonmore Creameries Federation was founded in 1966 when 36 smaller co-ops joined forces. The following year, Avonmore entered into a joint venture with Unigate Limited to construct at Ballyragget the largest dairy processing facility in Europe at that time, and which became Ireland's largest milk producer by the 1970s.

1984–1996 – Flotation and expansion

After the introduction of European milk quotas in 1984, the domestic growth opportunities for Irish co-operatives and their members were very limited. Waterford Co-op Society and Avonmore Creameries both realised that to expand they would have to seek out new markets outside Ireland. They recognised that the best way to fund such an expansion was through a stock market flotation. Accordingly, Avonmore Foods plc was floated on the Irish Stock Exchange on 6 September 1988 and Waterford Foods plc was floated a month later on 6 October 1988. This provided the funding to expand their product offerings while also expanding their geographic footprint.

Avonmore Foods plc acquired a number of small cheese plants in the US to form a platform for their market-leading US cheese business, which is part of Glanbia plc today.

1997–2000 – The amalgamation

After their flotations in 1988, Avonmore Foods plc and Waterford Foods plc pursued similar growth strategies. It made commercial sense for both to amalgamate. On 4 September 1997 Avonmore Foods plc and Waterford Foods plc merged to form Avonmore Waterford Group (AWG) plc. After agreement was reached in a special general meeting in Waterford, attended by almost 3,200 of the Waterford Co-op's 5,000 shareholders, a joint statement of the Chairmen read: "It would lead to an Irish, farmer-controlled food company with the scale and resources to successfully compete in a highly competitive international marketplace". The company became the fourth biggest dairy processor in Europe and the fourth biggest cheese producer in the world.

In 1999, the business was rebranded Glanbia plc, which means "pure food" in Irish.

2001–2023 – Glanbia Ireland acquisition

Between 2001 and 2004 Glanbia implemented a significant reorganisation aimed at reshaping its portfolio and providing the foundation for future growth. In 2008, they decided to vertically integrate with the acquisition of a customer, Optimum Nutrition. In 2013, Glanbia Ingredients Ireland purchased Wexford Creamery for €20 million.[5]

In 2017, a strategic joint venture called Glanbia Ireland was created by Glanbia Co-operative (who controlled a 60% share) and Glanbia plc (40% share). This company managed the network of over 11 production facilities and 52 Agri retail branches.

In 2021, the members of Glanbia Co-operative approved the acquisition of Glanbia Ireland along with its dairy processing business. The sale completed in April 2022, in which the co-operative purchased Glanbia plc's 40% shareholding. This marked the return of direct ownership of the dairy processing business to its farmer-members.[6] Subsequently both the co-operative and Glanbia Ireland rebranded as Tirlán to differentiate themselves from Glanbia plc, which remained a separate entity.[7]

type	Cooperative
area served	Global
foundation	1997
predecessor	Avonmore Creameries Federation and others.
location city	Kilkenny
location country	Ireland
industry	Dairy
members	11,200
subsid	Glanbia plc. (31.5% shareholding) Glanbia Ireland DAC (100% shareholding)
homepage	tirlan.com

History

1960–1983 – Formation of Avonmore and Waterford

1984–1996 – Flotation and expansion

1997–2000 – The amalgamation

2001–2023 – Glanbia Ireland acquisition

Naming controversy

Brands

References