Keelings is a major produce grower and distributor operating at St Margaret's, north of Dublin, Ireland.[2]
| Company type | Unlimited company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Produce |
| Founded | 1926 |
| Headquarters | North of Dublin , Ireland |
Area served | Ireland |
| Products | Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, cherries, apples, pineapples, peppers[1] |
| Owner | Joe Keeling |
| Website | keelings |
The Keeling family began growing fruit in 1926 and the business continues to be operated by the Keeling family.[2][3]
The brand specialises in strawberries, blueberries and blackberries, with growing capacity for 100 million strawberries annually.[4]
History
editKeelings is Ireland’s largest fruit and vegetable distributor.[5] Keelings is a 100% family-owned business[6] and has been producing fruit and salads on its farms in North Dublin since the 1930's.[7][8] Caroline Keeling is the CEO,[9][10] a part of the 3rd generation of Keelings to run the family business, having taken over from her father in 2006 as CEO[11] after working her way up the ranks from when she first joined the business in 1994 as technical manager.[12][13] Since 2006, the company has expanded to include 5 divisions (Keelings Retail, Keelings Farm Fresh, Keelings Market, Keelings International and Keelings Solutions) with operations in the UK, Europe and Asia.[14]
During the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland the company gained widespread controversy over its decision to hire seasonal workers from Bulgaria and elsewhere in Eastern Europe during the government-mandated lockdown. The company indicated that it had problems recruiting sufficient pickers locally, and that the skilled workers flown in would start work only after the required self-isolation period was completed.[15][16][17]
References
edit- ^ Burke, Roisin (5 April 2014). "Expansion and technology are really bearing fruit for Keelings". Irish Independent. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ a b "Our Growing Story | Keelings Fruit - Love To Grow". Keelings. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ McManus, John. "A family business that just keeps on growing". The Irish Times. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "Ireland: Keelings announces first Irish strawberry harvest of 2020". www.hortidaily.com. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "Keelings has taken a swipe at the government for having no 'vision' for family firms". Fora.ie. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
- ^ "Caroline keeling on managing a family Business | Crowe Ireland". www.crowe.com. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
- ^ "A family affair as Keelings grow food hub and build for the future". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
- ^ Loughlin, Elaine (2019-08-30). "Keelings say companies will have to be ready to react in case of no-deal Brexit". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
- ^ "Caroline Keeling, Keelings: Profile and Biography". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
- ^ "Welcome | Keelings Fruit - Love To Grow". Keelings. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
- ^ "Eight Irish businesswomen to watch". Think Business. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
- ^ O'Sullivan, Bill (2013-11-27). "Caroline Keeling - Image Magazine". IMAGE.ie. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
- ^ "Caroline keeling on managing a family Business | Crowe Ireland". www.crowe.com. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
- ^ "The Keelings Family". independent. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
- ^ Hilliard, Mark. "Bulgarian fruit pickers flown into Dublin all screened by doctors, says Keelings". The Irish Times. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "Keelings under fire for flying in fruit pickers from abroad during pandemic". www.irishexaminer.com. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "Fitzpatrick concerned over reports Keeling's Bulgarian workers may be residing in Louth". Talk of the Town. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.