Westmeath jobs boost announced

There’s good news on the jobs front in Westmeath this morning.

Patterson Pump Ireland, who currently employ 37 people in Mullingar, have announced plans to grow their workforce to 65 over the next five years. The news was announced at an Open House event to launch its new manufacturing facility in the IDA Business Park, Marlinstown this morning.

Each day, the firm manufactures one cast iron pump, four metres in length, which may weigh between six to eight tonnes and requires a 40 foot container to transport. Today’s launch is the first landmark event in the company’s ambitious target to expand its workforce to 65 employees by 2020.

Speaking to those gathered at the Open House event, Rod Pelot, Managing Director of Patterson Pump Ireland, recognised the importance of local staff to the expansion of the current facility: “The growth of Patterson Pump Ireland is a fitting acknowledgement to the commitment shown by staff to standards of excellence. This has enabled us to grow as a company for five consecutive years throughout the recession. The creation of one manufacturing job generates additional jobs within the community; we hope the Midlands will continue to reap the benefits of our expansion.”

Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy underlined the importance of Patterson Pump Ireland’s business development to the Midlands community.

“It is a welcome development to see Patterson Pump Ireland make a long term commitment to Mullingar after securing a site to build a state-of-the-art facility. While the company employs 37 people currently, over 125 were employed to design and construct this state-of-the-art facility. The company is also likely to increase employment over the coming years.

“This development clearly highlights how Mullingar is an attractive place for businesses to locate to. I hope this is the first of many businesses to relocate to the area. I was delighted to play a leading role in the negotiations between Westmeath County Council and the IDA to make this happen. Patterson Pump Ireland is a real-life example to other multinational companies of the potential for a business to grow and prosper in the Midlands,” said Deputy Troy.

Patterson Pump Ireland is a subsidiary of the US-based firm and is recognised globally as a leading manufacturer of commercial pumps. Attracted by a skilled workforce and IDA support, the Irish subsidiary was set up in Mullingar in 1998. The company has become a world leader in the manufacturing of fire protection pumps, shipping to over 60 countries in Europe and the Middle East.  

Speaking at this morning’s launch event, President of Patterson Pump Company, Albert Huber said: “Although we are proud of our new facility, it is not the buildings or equipment that makes a company successful but rather the people who come to work each day and strives to become better”.

Despite the company’s recent relocation in August, the factory will be fully operational next week and will be exporting at its previous rate of one pump per day. The expansion is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation through IDA Ireland

Welcoming the company expansion, Longford/Westmeath Fine Gael TD, Gabrielle McFadden, said the twenty eight new jobs at Patterson Pumps is clear evidence Mullingar and Midlands is now feeling the recovery.

“The creation of 28 new jobs by Patterson Pumps Ireland, based at the IDA Business Park, Marlinstown, Mullingar, is a huge vote of confidence for Mullingar and the Midlands. The new jobs will be created as the result of a significant investment in a new manufacturing facility.

“The expansion by this world leading manufacturing of fire protection pumps is clear recognition of Mullingar’s talented skills base and of course its central location and good infrastructure, which includes an excellent road network. Clearly, Patterson Pumps has great ambitions for its strategic future as the twenty eight new jobs will be part of 65 skilled jobs created over the next five years,” she commented.