Arrabawn Tipperary Co-operative appoints Eamon O’Sullivan as CEO

IRELAND – Arrabawn Tipperary, a dairy co-operative, has appointed Eamon O’Sullivan as its new CEO, taking over from former founder and CEO Conor Ryan.

Eamon spent the last five years of his career as General Manager of the dairy division of Dairygold Co-Operative Society Ltd, and before that was Chief Operating Officer at Novartis International Pharmaceutical Branch Ireland, based in Ringaskiddy, Cork.

He was also a former Supply Chain Director at Dairygold and Head of Chemical Operations Supply Chain at Novartis.

He stated, “I’m excited about the prospects of taking up this post at Arrabawn Tipperary Co-Op. The merger of the two last year was a natural and promising coming together of two neighbouring co-ops with so much more than geography in common. The new co-op is ambitious, and I completely share the excitement around the opportunity that lies ahead for it and its members.

“At the same time, I acknowledge that there will be challenges along the way as this is a fast-changing industry, but the right level of strategic planning, people management and, of course, a continuing pursuit of excellence will ensure the success of the business.”

Edward Carr, Chairman of Arrabawn Tipperary, stated that the board and interview panel had undertaken a meticulous selection process to find a successor to Conor Ryan.

He expressed their satisfaction with Eamon accepting the role, highlighting his extensive experience in both the dairy and multinational sectors.

Arrabawn Tipperary Co-operative Society establishment

Arrabawn Tipperary Co-operative Society was formally established at its inaugural board meeting in February 2025.

The co-op includes two primary ingredient manufacturing facilities at Nenagh and Tipperary town, processing almost 900 million litres of milk products annually, 15 agri-trading stores, including facilities at Nenagh, Tipperary town and Athenry, feed brand Dan O’Connor Feeds and French-based cheese production facility Tippagral.

The corporation has 1,400 dairy farmer suppliers, with the new dairy business, a merger of Arrabawn Co-operative Society and Tipperary Co-operative Creameries. It stated that the new venture consolidates the future of dairying for those farmers.

As stated by the corporation, more than 1,400 farmers across 16 counties will supply an envisaged 750 million litres of milk annually, with a projected annual turnover of over €700 million.

The former CEO Conor Ryan said: “This is a pivotal day for dairying across our entire catchment, from the west to the southeast of Ireland. A huge amount of work has gone into this over the past nine months and it’s right that we pay tribute to all those who contributed on both sides for their commitments to make this merger happen.”

Subscribe to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa, Middle East and around the world. SUBSCRIBE HERE