Kirby Group Opens €8M Off-Site Manufacturing Facility in Portlaoise, Creating 50 Jobs
Kirby Group Engineering has opened a new €8 million off-site manufacturing facility at Junction 17 National Enterprise Park in Portlaoise, Co Laois. This facility will create 50 jobs.
Based in Limerick, Kirby employs over 1,800 people and works in various sectors, including life sciences, data centres, industrial, power, and renewables. The company expects to achieve revenue of over €700 million this year. The new facility is vital for its growth, as it will manufacture components for projects in Ireland, the UK, and mainland Europe.
The Portlaoise facility offers fabrication, welding, engineering, and Building Information Modelling (BIM) services. It also includes a cleanroom for high-purity pipework needed by many of Kirby’s advanced clients. Components made at this site will be sent to various project locations within the company’s operational regions.
How does the expansion of Kirby Group Engineering align with the trends in off-site manufacturing and modular construction?
Interview with Mark Flanagan, CEO of Kirby Group Engineering
News Directory 3: Congratulations on the opening of the new €8 million off-site manufacturing facility in Portlaoise. Can you tell us what prompted this expansion?
Mark Flanagan: Thank you. The decision to open this facility was driven by a clear demand for off-site manufacturing (OSM) solutions among our clients, particularly from global technology leaders. By establishing this facility, we are positioning ourselves to meet that demand more efficiently while ensuring quality and safety.
News Directory 3: How will this new facility benefit your operations and the projects you undertake?
Mark Flanagan: The Portlaoise facility will allow us to fabricate, weld, and engineer components off-site, significantly reducing the time spent on-site for projects. It will be pivotal in streamlining our operations, as we aim to complete 25% of our projects using prefabricated methods. This facility includes advanced capabilities like a cleanroom for high-purity pipework, crucial for our clients in life sciences and other sectors.
News Directory 3: With this facility creating 50 new jobs, how do you envision this impacting the local community?
Mark Flanagan: The creation of these jobs is not just about numbers; it’s about contributing to the local economy and providing skilled opportunities. As we expand our workforce, we’re also investing in training and development, ensuring that our employees are equipped with the skills needed for the advanced manufacturing sector. This growth will create a ripple effect in the community.
News Directory 3: Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke has praised Kirby’s growth over the years. How crucial is support from the government and agencies like Enterprise Ireland for your strategies?
Mark Flanagan: Support from Enterprise Ireland has been invaluable. Their backing helps us pursue innovation and develop our capabilities in modular construction and advanced manufacturing. With their support, we can focus on sustainable employment practices and ensure that our growth benefits not just Kirby, but the entire region.
News Directory 3: Looking ahead, what are your goals for Kirby Group Engineering in the coming years, especially with this new facility?
Mark Flanagan: Our primary goal is to enhance our capacity for prefabricated construction methods, which will significantly improve our efficiency and client satisfaction. We aim to achieve over €700 million in revenue this year, and we see this facility as a key driver for that growth. We also plan to expand our reach not only within Ireland but also across the UK and mainland Europe.
News Directory 3: what message would you like to convey to your stakeholders and potential clients regarding this new development?
Mark Flanagan: We want our stakeholders, clients, and the community to know that this facility represents our commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability. We are here to provide cutting-edge solutions that meet the evolving needs of our clients while fostering growth and employment in the regions we serve. We look forward to a bright future and continuing our legacy of over 60 years in the industry.
Enterprise Ireland supports this new facility. Mark Flanagan, CEO of Kirby Group Engineering, mentioned that off-site manufacturing (OSM) is increasingly in demand from their clients, including global tech leaders. He stated, “OSM provides significant savings on site hours, equipment, scheduling, quality control, and health and safety. We aim to complete 25% of our projects using prefabricated methods, and this facility is central to that goal.”
Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke praised Kirby’s strong growth over its 60 years in business, highlighting the importance of the new facility for projects throughout Europe. Leo Clancy, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, noted that Kirby’s development promotes modular construction in advanced manufacturing, providing more value and sustainable employment in the region. Clancy congratulated Kirby on the opening and expressed support for its future growth both in Ireland and abroad.