250 jobs to be created in company expansions

A TOTAL of 250 jobs are to be created by two companies, one of which started manufacturing in a cow shed three years ago.

Delta Off-Site Solutions, which began life in a cow shed in Castletownroche, announced yesterday it’s to add 120 jobs to its workforce of 250.

Meanwhile, the RCI call centre in Lough Mahon, which deals with holiday bookings, is to increase its workforce from 650 to 780 in February.

This is due to a realignment of its English-speaking operation, which will lead to it being concentrated in Cork.

Its call centre in Kettering, England, is to close.

Delta Off-Site Solutions, which is based at the former GSI plant in Macroom, manufactures state-of-the-art kitchens and bathrooms, which are delivered in pod form to hotels and large-scale apartment developments.

The design concept means they can be fitted into place during construction, avoiding unnecessary delays and snag lists.

Chief executive Patrick O’Callaghan said yesterday that a major move into the British market is under way.

This year 15% of its sales were in the UK, but that is expected to increase to 35% in 2006.

“If business permits, we might even outstrip the 120. We’re concentrating on exports and are being assisted by Enterprise Ireland,” Mr O’Callaghan said.

“We are targeting the UK market and have 13 or 14 large projects signed with hotel and apartment developers.

“We’re also launching a range of pods for low-rise and single family dwellings. These will be launched in January.”

A spokesman for RCI said the jobs at the Kettering call centre in England will be relocated to Cork.

He said they anticipated only 50% of the Kettering workforce would be able to relocate.