GAOTH Dobhair based company Irish Pressings has secured a multi-million Euro package of work from Jaguar Land Rover. The company, which was nominated as a preferred supplier to Jaguar Land Rover late last year, plan to begin production in 2021.
This will help contribute to the continued expansion of the company which has grown by an average 20 per cent per annum since its formation by Brendan and Declan Ward in 2005, and which aims to employ up to 90 additional staff in the Gaoth Dobhair area over the next 5-years.
The package of work will not only provide an immediate boost to Irish Pressings but it will also provide a long-term boost to the company’s workforce and the local economy. Since the company’s formation it has been estimated that the company has contributed somewhere in the region of €37m to the local economy helping to sustain employment in local shops and service providers Gaoth Dobhair and the wider west-Donegal community.
Declan Ward, Managing Director, is keen to emphasise the importance of the workforce in the company’s success and is particularly proud of the opportunities that the company provides for the local community.
Mr Ward said: “None of what we are achieving would be possible without our highly skilled and dedicated workforce. It is amazing to see young local people coming out of school, getting trained and educated – both internally and at the likes of LYIT, IT Sligo, NUIG and other third-level institutions – and now engaging on a daily basis with Senior Global Buyers and Engineers at some of the world’s biggest car-brands.
“When I went through my toolmaking apprenticeship with FÁS I had to emigrate to Germany to secure a decent engineering job. However, with the likes of today’s announcement securing our long-term future in Gweedore, in the not-too-distant future we will be in a position to provide opportunities for young people interested in Engineering, Toolmaking, Business Development, I.T., etc. allowing them to achieve their career goals right here in Gweedore”.
“This is the type of positive news that young people who are facing uncertainty around the Leaving Certificate and exams at the minute need to hear. Providing opportunities for the youth of the region is critical as they are the ones who will sustain rural Gaeltacht communities into the future”.
Fáisc Miotail Eireann (trading as Irish Pressings) has not been immune to the impacts of COVID-19 over the past number of months with a complete shutdown resulting in a temporary lay-off of staff. Indications are positive however that automotive manufacturers are seeking to restart production at the start of June and the company is aiming to get back to normal working levels as soon as is feasible.
Karen Campbell, Sales and Logistics Manager, said: “While it has been a challenging start to 2020 Irish Pressings continues on a very strong growth trajectory. Today’s announcement is testimony to the continued hard work of the entire team here and is proof that with the support of the local community, firms in west-Donegal can compete at the highest level. It is great to see so many positive news stories coming out of west-Donegal in recent weeks. In that regard, credit must go to Udaras na Gaeltachta for their continued promotion and support of industry in the region.”
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