400 jobs at forklift firm’s project

Work got under way yesterday on a massive project designed to bring hundreds of jobs to one of the country’s employment black spots.

Heavy machinery rolled onto the Combilift site at Tullyhirm, just off the N2 bypass in Co Monaghan to begin the construction phase of the forkliftmanufacturer’s new development.

Combilift is investing €40m in its facility. The company confirmed that it would be larger than initially anticipated.

Up to 400 jobs will be created between the construction phase and over the first three to five years of productivity at the site.

A total of 200 construction jobs are being created, while most of the 200jobs at Combilift will be for skilled technicians and design engineers.

Monaghan has featured in the bottom five counties for IDA-supported jobsto be created by foreign direct investment.

Castleblayney company Meegan Builders has been appointed to lead the first phase of the project.

The site will initially be levelled before a major building programme is implemented.

A new industrial unit and a three-storey office block comprise the major part of the development, while hard-standing areas and a carpark will also be constructed.

In addition, the construction will include a pedestrian footbridge, access and steps onto the N2 roadway, adjacent to the Coolshannagh Roundabout.

In all, 11 acres of the development will now be under roof, significantly more than what was originally thought when the investment announcement was made earlier this year.

The development is expected to be completed within 18 months.

Combilift was established in 1998 and is now a global manufacturer offorklifts for the long-load handling market.

A ceremony ‘to turn the sod’ on the greenfield site was attended yesterday by Minister for Arts, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys, Enterprise Ireland’s Tom Kelly, and Eugene Cummins of Monaghan County Council, as well as 350 Combilift staff and directors.

“Combilift is delighted to break ground on our new facility, it shows our commitment to manufacturing in Monaghan as well as to the regional economy,” the company said.