Material handling solutions provider Combilift has opened its new global headquarters and manufacturing facility in Monaghan, the Republic of Ireland.
The EUR50 million (USD59.8 million) facility covers 46,500 sq m and, according to Combilift, will allow the company to realise its ambitious growth plans, which includes expanding its workforce with the creation of 200 new jobs in the next three years.
Martin McVicar, Combilift's managing director, said: "The combination of this state-of-the-art production plant and the growing skilled workforce will allow us to double production within the next five years."
With the new facility, Combilift says it will be able to manufacture four units from its straddle carrier range per week.
The purpose-built factory is set on a 100 acre (40.5 ha) site, which Combilift says provides room for future expansion. It features 5,000 sq m of office space, four 90 m-long moving assembly lines, 60 welding bays, two plasma cutting machines, three paint lines and three automatic shot blasters.
"The flexibility of our new facility means that we can continue to accommodate any request for a customised material handling solution," said McVicar.
Combilift invests 7 percent of its annual turnover in research and development (R&D) and has included a dedicated development and testing centre at the production plant in Monaghan.
At the official opening, held on May 2, McVicar confirmed the company's intention to use its old factory as a refurbishment facility, where Combilift will buy back its old equipment to be restored or rebuilt.
