23rd July 2018
Minister for Business, Enterprise & Innovation Heather Humphreys TD took the opportunity to visit Lough Gowna company Foamalite on Friday last, July 20th, to meet with the Managing Director of its parent company, Dr. Joachim Werner of 3A Composites while he was visiting the plant.
The Cavan operation, which began as a family owned business in 1997 and was acquired by the leading composite panels and materials company 3A Composites, now employs 81 people.
The Lough Gowna operation produces PVC sheeting which is sold under the FOAMALITE brand and used mainly in the sign and display market. PET sheeting, a thermoplastic polyester sheeting which has a number of uses, is also produced at the Co. Cavan plant. Its uses include in food preparation surfaces, signage, vending machines, shop fittings and car number plates.
Minister Humphreys met with Dr. Joachim Werner, Managing Director of 3A Composites, Cathal Hawkins, Plant Manager, Carol Ann Toland, Customer Service & Logistics Manager and Una O’Reilly, QEHS Manager who detailed the company’s history and its operations followed by a plant tour where the Minister met with employees.
There was also a discussion on recent investment. The meeting was attended by Senan O’Riain, Business Development Manager with IDA Ireland who outlined the IDA’s relationship with the company and how IDA helps smaller FDI companies such as Foamalite to sustain and develop further.
3A Composites, who manufacture composite panels and materials for the architecture, display, marine, transportation and wind energy markets, entered the Irish market through the acquisition of Foamalite in Co. Cavan and another indigenous Irish company, Athlone Extrusions in Co. Westmeath.
Since 2012 3A Composites has invested €10M in its business in Ireland in the areas of Compliance, Logistic Optimization, Preventative Maintenance & IT, and Capacity Increase.
Managing Director of 3A Composites, Dr. Joachim Werner said: “In view of the upcoming uncertainty about the British economy around Brexit, Foamalite’s biggest market most probably will see some decline. 3A Composites and Foamalite have started an investment and development program to better qualify the Irish products for use on the continental market. New machinery, high quality production, increased product specifications and the 3A Composites sales force on the ground in most of the European countries will be the important factors to continue the growth path of the past years.”
Following her visit, Minister Humphreys said: “As Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation and as the locally elected representative for Cavan-Monaghan, I was delighted to take the opportunity to meet with Dr. Werner while he was visiting the Foamalite plant in Lough Gowna. While we are proud that many of the world’s top companies have made Ireland home, it is small and medium businesses, both foreign and indigenous, who are the lifeblood of our economy. This is particularly important in regional locations like this one, and that is why the Government has set ambitious targets to increase FDI investment in every region by between 30% to 40%. One of the great advantages of locating in the regions is the commitment and dedication of the local workforce and that was certainly evident in Gowna.”
IDA Ireland’s Executive Director Mary Buckley said of the visit: “Foamalite is a prime example of IDA’s smaller Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) companies who operate quietly and successfully in regional locations. Companies like Foamalite are valued investments in regional locations. Foamalite employs 81 people locally, which is a significant boost to the local economy. Supporting these smaller FDI companies to develop further is a key focus for IDA.”
Ends
Contact:
Ellen Lynch Regional Communications, Press & PR Executive
IDA Ireland
087 4112084 ellen.lynch@ida.ie
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