25th September 2017
Global leader in innovative fastening technologies and solutions, PennEngineering®, has increased its presence in Ireland with the development of a new, 80,000² ft. facility located in Galway on the west coast. The development highlights PennEngineering’s commitment to its European customers and expanding its production capabilities.
The new facility will become the primary manufacturing site for all PEM clinch products sold in Europe. In addition to the existing onsite manufacturing facilities, the site has a Research and Development Centre and an Application Engineering Centre, offering full custom fastener and installation design and test capabilities. The new facility will make the Galway site a ‘centre-of-excellence’ focusing on developing innovative solutions for the European market.
Welcoming the announcement, An Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Frances Fitzgerald TD says, “I warmly welcome the investment by PennEngineering in a new 80,000² ft. facility which will make Galway a centre-of-excellence within the company. Since its arrival in Galway in 2001, Penn Engineering® has gone from strength to strength. The Government and agencies in my department are working hard to attract highly innovative and high-quality foreign direct investment.
Expanding the manufacturing sector and driving regional development such as this are key priorities for the Government. I look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship in the coming years."
Speaking at today’s official opening of the new facility, Minister of State, Sean Kyne comments, “I am delighted to see PennEngineering establish this centre-of-excellence in Galway. It is a sure sign of the success of the company which is celebrating its 75th anniversary and it is a tribute to the commitment and dedication of the team here in Galway. As Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, I am particularly heartened to learn that the new facility has been built to the highest environmental considerations with the very latest sustainability and ecological technologies. I wish the team the very best with the new facility and continued success on the international stage.”
IDA Ireland CEO, Martin Shanahan says, “It’s great to see a well-established company like PennEngineering expand its operations in Galway with the development of this fine new facility. It demonstrates a strong commitment by the company to Galway and to its 200 staff. I wish Mary Ann, Liam and their team continued success as they officially open this new facility and celebrate their 75th anniversary.” Liam Foy, Sales and Marketing Director, EMEA at PennEngineering says, “The new facility expands our capabilities for our customer base; they see our ability to serve them globally but with a strong regional focus as a key benefit to their business.
In the last 12 months we have launched four new products and have moved our entire core product to “lead-free”. The fact our products are “Made in Europe” ensures we are close to our customer supply chain.”
The expansion will bring the total footprint of PennEngineering operations in Galway to in excess of 200,000² ft. and employs 200 local people. It will support PennEngineering’s growing markets in Europe, that range from industrial, electronics, medical, energy and aviation sectors and are using new product innovations to expand in the automotive electronics, electrification and lightweight segments.
Mary Ann Fergus, Managing Director, EMEA at PennEngineering, comments “As we celebrate our 75th anniversary, we continue to go from strength to strength, growing our company with strategic acquisitions and state-of-the-art new facilities such as this one. The development of our Galway plant demonstrates our commitment to providing innovative fastening solutions to companies operating in Europe.”
PennEngineering’s new facility has been built to be a low-environment-impact facility. It incorporates the latest sustainability and ecological technologies; sensor controlled auto-dimming lighting throughout office and factory areas, waste oil and heat recovery systems.
PennEngineering’s presence in Galway began in 2001 when it acquired Precision Steel Components, who were founded in 1985. At the time of the acquisition, the facility employed 80 highly experienced people, and Penn’s continued investment over time has grown this number to over 200. With the new expansion, 20 more employees will be added immediately with more additions planned for the future.
PennEngineering’s team in Galway includes over 60% of highly trained Engineers working across all functions, supporting our customers.
All of its employees are Graduates from the local Educational Institutes who are key, long-standing partners of our Company.
The opening event on the 25th of September will be attended by PennEngineering’s customers, partners in Europe, major global customers, representatives from Penn’s other global manufacturing sites, representatives of local businesses, IDA Ireland, the Irish Government and local Education Institutes.
About Penn Engineering Penn Engineering & Manufacturing Corp. founded in 1942 in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, USA is the global leader in the design and manufacture of thin sheet fastening devices and installation systems.
The Company is the developer and the sole manufacturer of PEM® brand self-clinching, broaching, surface mount, weld and other fasteners.
The Company has several manufacturing, technical and sales facilities in the U.S., Ireland, Germany and China. Together they support a network of exclusive global distributors and engineering representatives, providing customers with consistent quality, local sourcing, and technical expertise anywhere in the world. www.pemnet.com
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