By Business & Finance 
Forklift manufacturer and material handler solutions provider Combilift announces 200 new jobs. An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD made the announcement at the opening of the company’s new €50 million global headquarters in Monaghan.
The 200 jobs will be created in Monaghan over the next three years and will consist of skilled technicians, design engineers, logistics and supply chain specialists, and those with mechanical and electrical mechatronics skills.
Combilift currently employs 550 people in manufacturing its forklifts and material handling products.
Established in 1998, Combilift currently exports 98% of its products to 85 countries through its international dealer network of 250.
The company’s new headquarters was built at a cost of €50 million and will allow Combilift to double its production at 46,500 metres square (500,000 sq. ft). It is set in a 100-acre site with further room for expansion. Also on the site is 11 acres of roof space, four 90-metre assembly lines producing a truck every 15 minutes, 1,100 LED lights with individual sensors, solar panels supplying 185 kW of energy and a wood recycle plant. 110,000 litres of rain water will be harvested for use throughout the new facility.
At the official opening, An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “Combilift is an incredible home-grown Monaghan success story. When the company was founded 20 years ago, it had three employees, a brilliant concept, and the ambition to make it a reality. We need more home-grown companies like Combilift if we are to achieve our vision for a prosperous future for communities living in counties all across the country. Combilift is playing a significant role in Monaghan’s success, and I would like to congratulate Robert Moffett and Martin McVicar, their leadership team and staff, and everyone at the Combilift on their achievements to date and wish them every success for the future.”
Martin McVicar and Robert Moffett established the firm 20 years ago. It is a privately-held and fully-capitalised company. It developed the world’s first multidirectional all-wheel drive IC engine-powered forklift in 1998. When it first began, Combilift produced 18 units in its first year (17 were exported); it has doubled in the last five years and now has 40,000 units in operation over 85 countries.
Martin puts the company’s success down to mass customisation: “Combilift has set the benchmark for the mass production of customised innovative products. Mass customisation is the new frontier for both the customer and the manufacturer. Increasingly customers are expecting products to be tailored to meet their needs.”
Combilift was awarded Excelling Enterprise of the Year at the Business & Finance Awards 2017.
