Triple jobs boost to create 480 roles

A leading linen and laundry company plans to create up to 200 jobs over the next two years as part of a €12m investment in a huge new facility in Cork.

The Kings Laundry announcement came as professional recruitment firm Morgan McKinley also revealed its plans to create 80 jobs in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, and Waterford as part of a global expansion that will see its global workforce grow from 800 to 1,100.

Management consulting company Accenture is also to add 200 additional positions in the capital.

Kings Laundry, which supplies linen and laundry services to the hospitality sector, confirmed plans yesterday to develop and open a 40,000sq ft (3,700sq m) facility in Little Island by next May.

Construction at the 3.5-acre site is already under way.

The Irish-owned and operated firm which already employees 310 people at its facility in Tallaght, Dublin, hopes to create 40 jobs once the Cork operation opens, and expand the workforce there to 200 over the next two years.

Company sales director, Alan Murphy, said the new facility would boast the most modern and environmentally-friendly laundry facilities in Europe.

“The primary purpose of the new operation is to ensure we continue to offer an unbeatable service to our customers in the Munster region,” he said.

“We already have an extensive client base in Cork and the surrounding counties and we are looking to grow this even further.”

He said recruitment for the first 40 positions will begin early next year to have the staff in place when the Little Island facility opens.

Meanwhile, Morgan McKinley said the new jobs at its regional offices would range from junior to senior consultant positions, with recruitment due to start immediately.

The company has recorded 20% year-on-year growth and has expanded its service offerings in the banking and financial services, accountancy, HR, risk, compliance, IT, sales, and marketing.

Accenture is to invest €25m in establishing a new Centre for Innovation in Dublin.

As part of its expansion the company will recruit more than 200 professionals with R&D and design experience in cognitive computing, Internet of Things, advanced analytics, security and digital marketing.

Separately, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney will officially open The Entrepreneur Ship, a dedicated maritime and energy innovation hub for startups, SMEs, and foreign companies at the IMERC Campus in Ringakiddy, Co Cork, next Monday.