Car dealership and green-tech firm announce plans to create 70 jobs

Toyota and Lexus will be driving the creation of 40 jobs in Cork, while Kildare-based green-tech company Nu Flow has announced a further 30 jobs over the next 36 months.

The Lehane family — the team behind the successful Macroom Motors outlet — has taken over the Cork franchise for Toyota and Lexus.

The new city dealership, which will open its doors in early August, will initially operate from the Wilton Motors premises in Bishopstown, but Lehane Motors is also planning to build a purpose-built Toyota and Lexus facility in 2014.

The managing director of Lehane Motors, John Lehane, said: “This is an exciting time for all of us as we are busy getting the premises ready and recruiting our new team. Our home in Cork City will first be in Wilton, but we have plans to build a new state-of-the-art Toyota and Lexus dealership in the city, making us one of the largest retailers of new and used cars in the country.”

The recruitment of 20 staff to the Wilton premises will begin immediately, with a further 20 staff to be recruited after the construction of a showroom.

Meanwhile in Kildare, Nu Flow specialises in installing green technology solutions inside deteriorated or failing water piping systems. The firm will create 30 jobs.

Nu Flow owns a number of patents on technologies that repair corrosion, fix leaks, and remove build-ups from pipes. The products are expected to be of great benefit to local authorities and businesses who may need to have pipes relined.

Technical director Robert Finn said bringing the technology to Ireland was good news for the country.

“This announcement is great news for Nu Flow and great news for the economy. It just goes to show that good ideas with the help of good people will always prosper, no matter the climate and that research and development are key to success. We are looking forward to seeing our team expand across the country.”