COMBILIFT SEEKS PLANNING PERMISSION FOR NEW FACTORY 

Michael Fisher  Northern Standard  Thursday 4th June p.2

The forklift company Comiblift which is one of County Monaghan’s most successful businesses has applied for planning permission to build a new premises on a 100-acre site on the outskirts of Monaghan town. It’s part of a €40 million expansion announced by the company in February. The firm has promised to create 200 jobs over the next five years.

The proposed development which is close to Monaghan fire station on the by-pass at Tullyhirm and Annahagh mainly consists of a 41 thousand square metre industrial unit and production facility, and a three-storey office block with a car park. There would also be a pedestrian footbridge, access and steps from the site leading onto the N2 roadway, adjacent to the Coolshannagh roundabout.

A decision on the proposed development is due to be made by the planning department of Monaghan County Council by July 12th. Any observations on the plans must be submitted by June 21st.

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. The new complex will include a dedicated Research and Development building, adjoining the administration offices and will be more than double the size of the company’s present manufacturing facilities.

Combilift is best known for its wide range of multi-directional forklifts, Aisle-Master articulated forklifts and other innovative material handling solutions such as the Combilift Straddle Carrier designed to handle large containers and over-sized loads. The company was set up by CEO Martin McVicar and Technical Director Robert Moffett in 1998 and has produced more than 24,500 units since then. It currently employs over 300 people at its two facilities and products are exported to over 75 countries.

When the expansion was announced, Martin McVicar said that with this greenfield investment and sufficient land available on the new site for future expansion, Combilift was committed to continuing its organic growth in Monaghan for many years to come. Taoiseach Enda Kenny said: “It is growing and dynamic Irish companies like Combilift which are driving a recovery across Ireland’s regions. Combilift’s new €40 million facility in Monaghan will make a profound difference to the local economy and the national export economy.”