Minister marks start of SmartPly OSB mill expansion
2 February 2015Irish minister of state Tom Hayes has marked the start of construction of a €59m upgrade to the Coillte Panel Products' SmartPly OSB mill in Belview, Waterford Port.
The project, which includes the development of a new Coillte Panel Products innovation centre, will create over 300 jobs during construction, and will secure the plant as one of the biggest exporters in the southeast of Ireland.
“SmartPly has been a hub of manufacturing activity for the South East region, constantly innovating, creating products that are used all over world,” said the minister.
“The wood panel industry has a valuable role to play in Ireland’s export industry and this investment in both manufacturing and research and development will secure Coillte Panel Products as a major player in the European Panel products sector well into the future.”
SmartPly currently employs over 160 people directly at the Kilkenny plant and 250 indirectly in the wider area. In 2014 SmartPly had total sales of approx 300,000m3, of which more than 90% were exported.
“This investment of €59m in our SmartPly manufacturing centre is part of a strategy to develop innovative new products and enable the company to increase sales in existing and new markets,” said acting Coillte CEO Gerry Britchfield.
