A family run firm which had humble beginnings in a Killarney laneway but now exports to over 50 countries worldwide, has announced the creation of 200 jobs this year.

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin pictured with Mike Stack CEO the Tricel Group during a visit to launch Tricel’s sustainability and expansion programme following the completion of Ireland’s largest combined solar and heat pump installation at its100000 sq. ft. facility in Killarney. Photo: Don MacMonagle

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin pictured with staff from left Maciej Truchan Jamie Byrne Eamonn Mac Fhloinn WIoletta Figura and Paul Horan at the Tricel Group today (Monday) during a visit to launch Tricel’s sustainability and expansion programme. Photo: Don MacMonagle

To mark the important milestone for the Tricel Group, Ireland’s largest combined Solar and Heat Pump Installation in Ireland, An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, today (Monday) visited the site to launch Tricel’s sustainability and expansion programme.

Mr Martin’s presence is reflective of the Government’s ongoing commitment to supporting growth within Irish companies in a sustainable way to protect future generations.

The CEO of Enterprise Ireland, Mr Leo Clancy, CEO of SEAI, Mr William Walsh, Marie Moloney, Mayor of Killarney, along with other local dignitaries and representatives were in attendance.

Today the company celebrates the completion of Ireland’s largest combined solar and heat pump installation at its 100,000 sq. ft. facility in Killarney. In 2021, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the company began this ambitious project by installing nearly 2000 solar panels, six invertors and three heat pumps. The project was another example of the company’s firm commitment to protecting our local and global environment by reducing the company’s overall energy, waste and emission levels. Working closely with Enerpower, a Waterford based company, Tricel were able to deliver this project and move closer to realising its sustainability goals.

The total reduction in emissions from this combined Solar PV and Heat Pump project equates to 357,800 kg of CO2 per year, equivalent to the emissions saved from powering 300 houses every year. The 750kw solar panel system on the roof of the Killarney manufacturing site provides 25% of our electricity through solar per year, while the heat pumps remove our oil dependence by 90%.

Expansion and growth

The Tricel Group’s success over the past number of years is driven by a relentless focus on innovation. In 2017, the company began its robotics programme at its site in Killarney, which further strengthens its commitment to manufacturing excellence and quality. This programme was quickly followed in 2018 by installing a state-of-the-art SMC machine and plant room, which is now the main provider of raw materials to its manufacturing sites in Europe. Automation and robotics will continue to be a key focus for the Group into the future.

The continued growth and success of the company have also seen the creation of over 290 new jobs in 2021 in Ireland, the UK and France. Currently, skilled positions are available at the company’s headquarters in Killarney; these are in areas such as Purchasing, Marketing, IT, Manufacturing, Engineering, Sales and Business, as well as Graduate and Undergraduate positions. With the company’s trajectory of growth and ambitious plans, it estimates a further 200 new positions in the coming year.

"I am delighted to be here today to launch the Sustainability and Expansion programme in Tricel," An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, said.

"A family-led company with nearly 50 years of experience here in Killarney, sustainability is at the core of Tricel’s operations. Climate change is a threat to all of us and to our way of life, and the Government lead is serious about Ireland being a leader in Europe and in the world in the great effort to tackle it. I want to congratulate Mike Stack, the Stack family and all the staff on their ambitious project, which is part of that leadership. Their determination and focus will ensure their future growth plans, and the creation of more sustainable jobs both in Ireland and abroad.”

Mike Stack, CEO of Tricel Group, said:

“Firstly, I’m delighted to have this opportunity to welcome An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, Marie Moloney, Mayor of Killarney and our local representatives to the launch of our sustainability and expansion programme at Tricel headquarters in Killarney. I would also like to welcome Leo Clancy, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, William Walsh, CEO SEAI, and representatives from Enerpower. As an Irish company, collaboration with organisations like Enterprise Ireland, SEAI and Enerpower is key to reaching our full potential as a successful company in Ireland, United Kingdom and Europe.

"I am immensely proud of what we have achieved over the past 50 years as a family-led company. The success we have as a company is fuelled by the dedication and commitment of our employees, who play a pivotal role in the initiatives which underpin our growth, namely innovation and sustainability.
While the past two years have been challenging for all businesses worldwide, the resilience and strength of Tricel staff allowed us to continue to supply to our customers. In many cases, these products and services were essential – supporting expansion projects for hospitals, defence forces, care homes, and manufacturing sites supporting the increase production of ventilators. Despite these challenges, we continued to focus on our growth plans and grew our headcount in Killarney by over 20%. As a significant employer locally, we will continue this focus on recruitment, with plans to increase our headcount by over 200 in the coming year. Since January 1 2022, we already have 35 positions currently being advertised across our sites.”

Enterprise Ireland, CEO Leo Clancy added that Tricel is an excellent innovation-led Irish company that has implemented state-of-the-art technology to remain competitive in global markets.

"The company’s continued success and expansion demonstrates that there are great opportunities for Irish companies in the transition to a low-carbon and environmentally sustainable economy. We are delighted to support Tricel and congratulate the entire team on their achievements to date.”

About Tricel

Tricel is a family-run company founded by Anne and Con Stack in 1973. The company, originally located in a lane in the town of Killarney, began by producing a range of glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) products for the local population. Following a clear growth expansion strategy throughout the '90s and '00s, the company expanded its exports, followed by several successful acquisitions to establish manufacturing sites throughout the UK and Europe.

Today Tricel, led by the Stack family, is a global provider of high-performance solutions providing a comprehensive range of products to over 50 countries worldwide. The company's core markets are water storage tanks, pumping solutions, environmental (sewage treatment and wastewater) tanks, construction products and the distribution of composite & lubricant products.