New CEO appointed to Moorepark Technology Limited

Castletownroche-native John Hunter has been appointed as the new CEO of Moorepark Technology Limited (MTL). He joins the company from Tipperary Co-op where he was assistant general manager, and will be based at the Teagasc Food Research campus in Fermoy.

The appointment was approved by the board of Moorepark Technology Limited at its meeting in Moorepark last Friday, February 19th, and earlier by the Teagasc Authority at its meeting on Wednesday, February 3rd.

Fermoy-based Mark Fenelon, Head of the Teagasc Food Research Programme, welcomed the appointment and highlighted the ‘key role’ Mr Hunter will play at Moorepark.

“John will have a key role to play in implementing the MTL strategy for development and growth.”

“John will have a key role to play in implementing the MTL strategy for development and growth, which includes a €10 million capital investment over the next two years,” he commented.

Mr Hunter has over 20 years management experience in the dairy industry. He has worked with Tipperary co-op since 2005 as cheese plant manager, cheese operations manager and, more recently, as assistant general manager. Prior to this, he held various roles in the areas of milk powder, spreads and cheese production in Dairygold Co-Op from 1992 to 2005.

He graduated with a BSc Honours Degree in Food Chemistry from University College Cork and went on to obtain an MSc in Food Science and Technology there.

Moorepark Technology Limited is a joint venture between Teagasc and nine dairy processing companies. MTL is a modern versatile pilot plant facility based at the Teagasc campus in Fermoy. It offers a variety of services, ranging from pilot plant rental and technical assistance through contract R&D and pre-commercial manufacture.  Its mission is to stimulate and enhance, market-led research and development in the Irish dairy industry.