Keelings

Keelings is a major produce grower and distributor operating at St Margaret's, north of Dublin, Ireland.[2]

Keelings
TypeUnlimited company
IndustryProduce
Founded1926 (1926)
Headquarters
North of Dublin
,
Ireland
Area served
Ireland
ProductsStrawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, cherries, apples, pineapples, peppers[1]
OwnerJoe Keeling
Websitekeelings.ie

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

Keelings 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
  1. Burke, Roisin (5 April 2014). "Expansion and technology are really bearing fruit for Keelings". Irish Independent. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  2. "Our Growing Story | Keelings Fruit - Love To Grow". Keelings. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  3. McManus, John. "A family business that just keeps on growing". The Irish Times. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  4. "Ireland: Keelings announces first Irish strawberry harvest of 2020". www.hortidaily.com. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  5. "Keelings has taken a swipe at the government for having no 'vision' for family firms". Fora.ie. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
  6. "Caroline keeling on managing a family Business | Crowe Ireland". www.crowe.com. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
  7. "A family affair as Keelings grow food hub and build for the future". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
  8. 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.
  9. "Caroline Keeling, Keelings: Profile and Biography". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
  10. "Welcome | Keelings Fruit - Love To Grow". Keelings. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
  11. "Eight Irish businesswomen to watch". Think Business. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
  12. O'Sullivan, Bill (2013-11-27). "Caroline Keeling - Image Magazine". IMAGE.ie. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
  13. "Caroline keeling on managing a family Business | Crowe Ireland". www.crowe.com. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
  14. "The Keelings Family". independent. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
  15. Hilliard, Mark. "Bulgarian fruit pickers flown into Dublin all screened by doctors, says Keelings". The Irish Times. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  16. "Keelings under fire for flying in fruit pickers from abroad during pandemic". www.irishexaminer.com. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  17. "Fitzpatrick concerned over reports Keeling's Bulgarian workers may be residing in Louth". Talk of the Town. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
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