Combilift to create 200 jobs at its new €50m global HQ in Ireland

Martin McVicar, founder of Combilift. Photo: Rory Geary

Ellie Donnelly

Combilift, a global manufacturer of multi-directional forklifts, has announced the creation of 200 new jobs.

The jobs, which are being created across a range of areas over the next three years, will be located at the county Monaghan firm’s new €50m global headquarters and manufacturing facility in Annahagh, Monaghan.

The 40-hectare site houses a 46,500m squ. factory, a dedicated research and development and testing centre as well as extensive administrative and visitor facilities.

Enterprise Ireland, who has worked intensively with Combilift since it was founded, have part-funded the facility, which is is occurring in the shadow of Brexit, with the border in Northern Ireland only a few miles away from the new factory.

Combilift exports 98pc of its production across the world, a quarter of which goes to the UK market.

In addition, one in ten of Combilift employees cross the border on a daily basis to work in its new factory.

Founded by a farmer, Martin McVicar, in 1998, the company has grown from a small operation with a handful of employees to become one of the biggest names in the material handling sector, with the 200 jobs adding to the company’s existing workforce of around 550.

"We have employed an additional 230 people since we announced our plans for this factory in 2015 and we are planning to recruit an additional 200 in the next 3 years," Mr McVicar said.

"The combination of this state of the art production plant and a skilled workforce will allow us to double production within the next 5 years."

The news was welcomed by Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Business, Enterprise, and Innovation, who said that the announcement pointed to the positive impact of Combilift on the border region.

"As one of the most significant employers in Monaghan, the positive impact that Combilift has on the county, the border region and Ireland cannot be under-estimated," Minister Humphreys said.

"Perhaps above all, the company is living proof that you don’t have to be in a big city to achieve global success."

To-date over 40,000 of the company’s units have been sold to customers in more than 85 countries.