The meat processing industry has stringent rules in place that ensure traceability on all products related to the sector.

Over the years, major investment has been placed in facilities to ensure that the proper standards are met.

One of the leading meat processing plants in Ireland is a family run business based in Rosemount Business Park, Ballycoolin, Dublin 15.

Branagan’s Quality Meat Processors was established in 1980 and it has grown to become one of the most modern and up to date meat factories in the country.

This family run business prides itself in taking a hands on approach since James Branagan Snr first established the business 36 years ago.

These days his sons Michael (General Manager), Tony (Sales Manager) and James jnr (Production Manager) run the business on a daily business.

Through the help of Technical Manager Martin Keogh, we take a look at how the business has evolved over the years and the services that they provide.

Specialists in the deboning of quality beef and lamb, Branagan’s provide a wholesale, trade and retail service to a large customer base, all of who are welcomed by the friendly and efficient staff that are there to deal with all the clients queries.

Having gained a vast level of experience in European markets, our company is adept at processing meat to a large variety of specifications. The core beef primal range is complemented by a range of fresh and frozen VL’s, diced and manufacturing products. Branagan’s Quality Meat Processors are also licensed to debone lamb, pork and poultry on site.

“We have a 30,000sq ft Beef Carcass Deboning facility with a current throughput of approximately 4,000 tons per annum suppling UK, Denmark, Italy, France and also the home market here in Ireland. We boast a modern EU-approved site with state of the art processing facilities taking the product from carcase intake, to processing through to packing, storage and dispatch.

“We continue to invest significantly in our facilities, our systems and training to ensure that we constantly exceed the rigorous demands expected. When it comes to hygiene and food safety all current legislation and regulations are adhered to.

“We are also licenced to produce mince and most other meat preparations for the food service, catering and manufacturing industry both here in Ireland and abroad.”

As stated, the company supply their products to trade, wholesale and retail customers.

“Our trade customers include restaurants, hotels, caterers, institutions and public houses and we bring quality and value to this sector.

“Our wholesale offers the same service to wholesalers, while our retail counter sees our products being sold at trade prices. Anyone can drop into the shop where they will make great savings.”

Of course, Branagan’s meet the highest standards in health and safety, while they have a Grade ‘A’ Global Standard through the British Retail Consortium.

“We have been with the BRC for a number of years now. To achieve this, everything is inspected and certain criteria have to be met.

“We would be audited on a regular basis and observations would be made of how the procedures are carried out, so it is important for the staff to be up to speed on what is needed to be done. All employees work well together and they are highly trained. Our Technical Department manage all training requirements. We would only buy from BRC approved sites and I personally would go over and inspect these places before we buy any meat.

“All our staff are trained in hygiene, allergens, manual handling, knife safety, Health & Safety and HACCP. We are committed to staff training at all levels (this includes specific good hygiene and HACCP training) and ensure our HACCP team is well skilled to ensure product and systems integrity at all stages.

“Every product must pass our rigorous intake, in-process and post process quality control inspections conducted by our Technical Department and HACCP Team.”

Branagan’s are committed to treating every aspect of their business with responsibility, and this includes impact on the environment. In this respect, as much as possible of their waste is recycled, including wood, cardboard, paper and metal.

“All waste material would be recycled and disposed of in the proper manner, like our bone waste would go to College Proteins and so on.”

Working with the customer is something that Branagan’s have always prided themselves on down through the years and it is one of the key areas that has made the company such a success.

“We aim to achieve this with constant communication with our customers in regard to quality, specifications, quantities, prices, and where concerned, deliveries.

“We are always open to suggestions for change, and are available to discuss any new possibilities in the ever-changing market situations. In this way Branagan’s Quality Meat Processors, through all our outlets, intend to establish long lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with all our customers.”

Branagan’s Quality Meat Processors
Address: Unit 10
Rosemount Park Drive,
Rosemount Business Park
Ballycoolin,
Dublin 11

Phones: +353-1-8219240 /
8219246 / 8200877
Fax: +353-1-8200878
Email: [email protected]

HOURS

Mon – Fri  8AM – 6.30PM
Saturday  8AM – 2PM
Sundays & Bank Holidays – Closed

Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 4 No 8, October 2016

Branagan’s Quality Meat Processors