Lilywhite News Snippets

Sherry FitzGerald Brady O’Flaherty opens new office in Celbridge

Sherry FitzGerald Brady O’Flaherty have opened their second office in Co. Kildare. Their new office in Celbridge compliments their existing flagship office in Maynooth, where they have consistently provided an excellent level of service to their Kildare customer base. The official opening was performed by Allan Shine CEO of County Kildare Chamber.

Auxilia Consultants and The Grey Matters Network Merge to form AuxiliaGroup

AuxiliaGroup, a newly formed merger of Auxilia Consultants and The Grey Matters Network (GMn) delivers the power of 650 highly experienced professionals, providing solutions to its rapidly growing client base. The merged entity will combine strengths from both companies to benefit clients and associates alike. Prior to the merger, Auxilia Consultants were primarily a consultancy business while GMn were primarily a contract placement business, filling interim and contract roles with experienced professionals. AuxiliaGroup will offer clients the solutions to challenges facing companies globally today. Solutions include process improvement, strategic business planning, IT strategy review, talent sourcing, business performance analysis and implementing real business/operations solutions to improve efficiency with hands-on guidance and support.

MGS MFG Company invest further in Kildare

The €7 million investment will see a 20,000ft extension to the plant located on the Kildare Innovation Campus, housing ISO class 8 cleanrooms, new offices, injection moulding machines, precision measurement laboratory and warehousing space.

Established in Wisconsin, USA in 1982 initially as a small mould making shop, MGS MFG now spans 11 facilities around the world, employs more than 1200 people globally and completed the acquisition of Formteknik in Europe in early 2021. The Kildare plant, established in 2011, has continued to go from strength to strength over the last decade, employing 120 locally with plans to double this footprint to meet the new facility’s needs.

Chamber welcome best performing route option decision for Kildare - Meath Grid Upgrade

County Kildare Chamber welcomed the emerging best performing route option for the grid upgrade by Eirgrid. This follows extensive consultation with Eirgrid and the County Kildare Chamber membership throughout 2021. The Kildare-Meath Grid Upgrade is a high-capacity underground cable connecting Dunstown substation near Two Mile House in Kildare and Woodland substation near Batterstown in Meath. Allan Shine, Chamber Chief Executive said, “ Option A (the Red Option) has been identified as the emerging best performing route option. The route option agreed upon will require extensive dialogue with both landowners, businesses and community groups. The upgrade will enable further growth in the mid-east region which is critical as we must meet the growing demands for electricity.

KILDARE gets its very first reverse vending machine in March at Dunnes Stores in Naas.

This green initiative has been promoted by the Irish branch of Going Plastic-Free (GPF) which is based in Naas. “This is the first reverse vending machine in County Kildare and the dualpurpose machine accepts both plastic bottles and aluminium cans,” said Senator Vincent P Martin, who is also the founder and Chairperson of GPF. “A 10 cent voucher which can be spent in the local Dunnes Stores is given for each individual can or plastic bottle deposited in the machine,” he explained. The RVM rental and maintenance is being funded through grant aid from Naas MD in the form of unused property tax.

Primark Sod Turning

The sod was officially turned on the site of the new Primark €75 million warehouse and distribution depot on April 8th 2022. Measuring 500,000 square ft, the facility will comprise of a distribution centre, warehouse and office space on a 38 acre site. The depot will act as an allisland facility, creating additional capacity and will serve Primark stores in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The depot is expected to be completed by Q3 2024. This will be a major jobs boost for Newbridge and will be an excellent addition to the increasing number of employers choosing Kildare in which to do business.

Ventac Celebrate 50th Anniversary

Ventac celebrate their 50th Anniversary this year, 1972 – 2022. “Ventac have been surrounded by the absolute best people in business – our employees, our customers and our partners who have turned the vision into reality, and we are very grateful to everyone who has joined us along their journey. Our customers and the super Team at Ventac are the reason we are celebrating 50 years in business this year. The team and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers, friends, associates, neighbours, and community partners. Serving them has been our privilege and we want to personally thank everyone for letting Ventac be part of their story.” – Darren Fortune, CEO of Ventac

Kildare Chamber member wins first ever Guaranteed Irish Award

A Kildare company has won the inaugural Guaranteed Irish Business Award for Professional Services – Multinational with a Global Impact. Manguard Plus, Ireland’s leading privately owned Irish security company scooped the much-prized accolade at an Awards Ceremony at the Shelbourne Hotel (24th March 2022). The awards, the first in the national brands’ long history, were held to celebrate trusted, leading businesses across Ireland who support local and look global, and who are committed to supporting jobs, their local communities, and contributing to Ireland, its people and economy.

OUT AND ABOUT

We are back! In person events are now in full swing at County Kildare Chamber and we couldn’t be happier. It’s been great catching up with familiar and new faces over the last few months.

Corporate members vist Dáil Éireann

Recently, the Chamber had our annual event for our corporate members at Dáil Éireann, where we were kindly hosted by Minister Martin Heydon. 40 businesses were in attendance and got to meet and have discussions with An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, and many different Ministers & TD’s.

US Ambassador to Ireland, Claire D. Cronin visits Kildare

County Kildare Chamber hosted the new US Ambassadors’ first ever speaking engagement to a business organisation in Ireland at Kilkea Castle. In attendance were 100 Kildare businesses who had the opportunity to network with one another before the opening address from President Luke Hanahoe, followed by an address from Ambassador Cronin.

Bertie Ahern visits Kildare

The Chamber recently hosted our Presidents Luncheon with guest speaker; Bertie Ahern. Our host venue, the Osprey Hotel, kindly sponsored a prosecco reception – which was followed by a 3-course meal and a Q&A session between Bertie Ahern and Chamber CEO, Allan Shine. Mr. Ahern was then gifted with a caricature picture which was kindly sponsored by the Sheehy Motor Group.