Materials Handling Group Invests in New Fork Lift Manufacturing Plant

IRELAND – Combilift, the materials handling group headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina since 2005, has announced a major investment putting $50 million over the next two years in a new manufacturing facility in Ireland, which the company predicts will also create 200 additional jobs over the next five years. This announcement was made by Irish Prime Minster Enda Kenny along with the Irish Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton on a visit to Combilift’s current Irish headquarters in Monaghan.

This expansion will enable Combilift to proceed with its plan to double its current $190 million turnover over the next five years. The majority of the 200 new jobs to be created will be for skilled technicians and design engineers and a further 200 jobs will also be created during the two year construction period of the new facility.

Combilift has recently purchased 100 acres of industrial zoned land where the new purpose-built, 430,000 square foot Greenfield manufacturing site will be built. This will include a dedicated Research and Development building, adjoining administrational offices and will be more than double the size of the company’s present manufacturing facilities. Commenting on the development CEO Martin McVicar said:

“With this Greenfield investment and sufficient land available on the new site for future expansion, Combilift is committed to continuing its organic growth in Monaghan, Ireland for many years to come.”

Combilift was first established in 1998 by Technical Director Robert Moffett and CEO Martin McVicar with the aim of covering a gap in the market for a forklift truck capable of handling long and bulky loads in a safe and space saving manner, and the result was the world’s first IC engine powered, all-wheel drive multi-directional forklift. Since then the company has delivered more than 24,500 units in at least 75 countries and has expanded its original range of 4-way forklifts to include narrow aisle trucks, straddle carriers, pedestrian reach stackers as well as special builds, with lift capacities from 3,300 lbs. to 180,000 lbs. Welcoming the announcement, the Irish Prime Minster Enda Kenny said:

“It is growing and dynamic Irish companies like Combilift which are driving a recovery across Ireland’s regions. Combilift’s new $50 million facility in Monaghan will make a profound difference to the local economy and the national export economy.”

Photo: Minister Heather Humphreys TD, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Combilift CEO Martin McVicar pictured on the manufacturing line