Three Firms Create 75 New Jobs

An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton, TD have announced that three multinational companies are establishing new operations near Portarlington, in Kinvara, Co Galway and Longford town with the creation of a total of 75 new jobs.

The companies were introduced to Ireland through ConnectIreland, the company responsible for delivering the Government's Succeed in Ireland initiative, as part of the Action Plan for Jobs.

The Magni Group, which operates an automotive coating business, will set up its new manufacturing plant and R&D laboratory near Portarlington. The company, which is headquartered in Michigan, USA, already operates a paint business in Mallow, Co Cork. The new facility will employ 50 people and includes a purpose-built 40,000 square foot factory with room to expand to 80,000 square feet over five years.

The Magni Group is considered a global leader in the production of corrosion resistant, automotive coating and in order to support the global marketplace the company operates out of 23 locations in eight countries across the globe – all of which will be supported by the new Irish facility.

Before being put in touch with Connect Ireland through the Connector and the GAA, the Magni Group was close to deciding to locate the facility in the Czech Republic.

Meanwhile, Flagship Management has confirmed it is to locate the EMEA headquarters of its maritime consultancy and recruitment business at Kinvara, Co Galway. Some 15 jobs are expected to be created over the next three years in the business, which has its US headquarters in Florida. Flagship Management currently serves the North American and European market from the US.

The European operation will provide consultancy and recruitment services to maritime companies operating in the North Sea and Gulf regions. The operation will also focus on the growing German and continental European markets.

A further 10 jobs are to be created in Co Longford by Ark Energy Consulting Limited as it expands its Italian operation to Ireland. Parent company, ARK Srl is a privately-owned company based in Genoa, Italy, which specialises in providing consulting services to the ETRM (Energy Trading Risk Management) sector.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said: "It is great to be here today to announce 50 jobs at the Magni Group near Portarlington, along with 15 jobs at Flagship Management in Kinvara and 10 jobs at Ark Energy in Longford town. This is a very welcome boost for these local communities. Every job that is created through ConnectIreland, under the Succeed in Ireland Initiative, is a job that may not have come to Ireland without the intervention of a 'connector'. Whether it is individual connections like this or wider Government strategy, our message is: Ireland is open for business and a great location for inward investment."

(CD/JP)