Optimum Nutrition history

Waterford followed in 1988, changing its name to Waterford Foods Plc.

Avonmore launched its United States expansion in 1989, spending some £20 million to establish its cheese manufacturing presence there.

The company then bought up Ashmount Foods, a producer of meat products in Bradford, England, in 1990, paying £3 million.

In 1991, Avonmore and Waterford nearly came together, launching merger talks to create an Irish super dairy group.

In 1992, Avonmore spent £11 million to acquire Churchfield/Tom Parker Dairies, further enhancing its profile in the British dairy market.

Avonmore Waterford began restructuring its operations, shutting down or selling off a number of plants and operations, including its Avonmore cheese plants in Wisconsin and Illinois, which were sold to Canada's Saputo Inc. in 1998.

In February 1999, Avonmore Waterford changed its name, taking the Gaelic word for "pure food" as its own.

As Glanbia continued to refine its focus, targeting the new and fast-growing "nutritional" foods segment, the company began selling off its non-core segments, including its processed meat component, which was sold in 2002.

In 2003, the company announced its intention to exit the fresh meat business as well.

In 2012, Glanbia Ingredients Ireland was born from Glanbia’s Irish ingredients division with a clear view to maximising the future opportunities for dairy in Ireland.