ELECTRIC.IE • The Magazine & Website for the Irish Electrical Industry • 21 Industry News Kirby Group Engineering Opens State-of-the-Art Off-Site Manufacturing Facility in Portlaoise Kirby Group Engineering has officially launched its new €8 million off-site manufacturing (OSM) facility at Junction 17 National Enterprise Park in Portlaoise, Co. Laois. This cutting-edge development is expected to create 50 new jobs and will play a pivotal role in the company’s continued expansion, manufacturing a wide range of components for projects in Ireland, the UK, and mainland Europe. With a workforce of over 1,800 employees, Kirby has built a stellar reputation in the life sciences, data centre, industrial, power, and renewable energy sectors. The Limerick-based company is on track to exceed €700 million in revenue in 2024, reflecting its strong growth trajectory. Currently, over 20 people are employed at the Portlaoise site, with plans to increase this number to 50 by the end of next year. The facility offers a range of services, including fabrication, welding, engineering, multiservice module assembly, pipe rack assembly, and Building Information Modelling (BIM). It also features a dedicated cleanroom for high-purity pipework, catering to the needs of Kirby’s high-tech clients. Components produced here will be transported to various sites within Kirby’s operational regions. Mark Flanagan, CEO of Kirby Group Engineering, highlighted the growing demand for OSM among their global IT customers: “OSM delivers significant savings in on-site hours, equipment, scheduling, quality control, and health and safety. Our goal is to complete 25% of our projects using prefabricated methods, and this facility is key to achieving that target. I’d like to commend our Operations Director, Mikey Ryan, for his vision and leadership in making this project a reality. The opportunities this site presents for Kirby and our customers are truly exciting.” The new facility also includes office space and a dedicated apprentice training centre, offering both classroombased and practical education. Apprenticeships have long been a cornerstone of Kirby’s talent development strategy, with over 200 apprentices currently undergoing training. Supported by Enterprise Ireland, the job creation at the OSM facility represents a significant investment in the region. Leo Clancy, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, emphasised the importance of the initiative: “Enterprise Ireland is proud to support Kirby Group’s new development, which advances modular construction and creates sustainable employment. This facility will add significant value to the region and bolster Ireland’s reputation for highquality manufacturing services. Congratulations to Mark and the entire Kirby team—we look forward to supporting their continued growth in domestic and international markets.” Leas-Cathaoirleach Laois County Council John King, Kirby Group Operations Director - CEO Designate Henry McCann, Kirby CEO Mark Flanagan, Enterprise Ireland CEO Leo Clancy, Kirby Operations Director Mikey Ryan & Kirby EHS and Sustainability Director Giedre Visockaite.
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