Plant expansion plan ‘to help consolidate Liebherr position’

A MAJOR expansion at the Liebherr (Ireland) Ltd plant in Killarney will help consolidate the company’s position in the area, according to the German-owned firm.

Kerry County Council has given planning permission for a 17,000 square metre production building, as well as office and storage buildings measuring 1,500 square metres. The company, which manufactures container cranes for the international market, has been in Killarney since 1958. It has a workforce of around 500 people and is the area’s biggest industrial employer.

Liebherr director Pat O’Leary said, while the expansion may not necessarily mean more jobs, it was vital for the consolidation of the huge Killarney plant.