Jobs lift as €10m forklift plant opens

A €10 million company headquarters that will create 100 jobs was opened yesterday by Trade Minister Micheál Martin.

Many of the new jobs at the Combilift plant in Monaghan town will be high-skilled requiring technical and engineering qualifications.

The firm makes the world’s first engine-powered, all wheel drive, multi-directional forklift.

The company was set up in Clontibret, Co Monaghan, in 1998 by entrepreneurs, Martin McVicar and Robert Moffett.

It has grown to become the global market leader in its field. The company currently has 150 employees and this will increase to 250 by 2010.

“Today’s official opening of Combilift’s new facility is tremendous news for Monaghan, Ireland and particularly the BMW region (Border-Midland West),” said the minister.

“The international successes of Combilift, and other Irish entrepreneurial companies, is a foundation stone of Ireland’s remarkable economic performance over the last 10 years.”

Combilift exports 94% of all its forklifts to more than 45 countries around the world. Between 2006 and 2010, the company predicts that exports will increase from €60m to €100m.

The US accounts for almost 30% of the company’s sales followed by Britain and France.

Managing director Martin McVicar, put the firm’s success down to a strong link between research, product development and exports.

“We maintain a very close link between research and development and marketing so the two functions are always connected. We’re always first to market with what we offer.”