Kirchhoff Ireland develops and expands its Letterkenny facility Operation moves higher up the value chain

Kirchhoff Ireland is to establish new in-house design, prototyping and tool making operations and is to add up to 50 new jobs by the end of 2005. An 8,250 sq. ft. (770 sq. metres) extension to the existing building is also to be constructed. These developments are in response to the Irish company’s success in recent years in dealing directly with customers, which has resulted in the winning of significant contracts from several of the world’s leading car manufacturers for a range of products for use in their up-coming models.

The Tánaiste, welcoming the investment, said, "The establishment of the new operations at Letterkenny, added to the existing operations and augmented by the technical sales team that can negotiate contracts directly with customers, will make the Irish facility more autonomous and further consolidate its position within the global operations of the Group. Kirchhoff is an ideal example of an overseas company already located here working with IDA Ireland to develop its Irish facility to the fullest potential, thereby helping to ensure its long term survival and its further embeddedness in the economy where it is located."

Kirchhoff Ireland Limited, part of the Kirchhoff Group of Germany, acquired the Letterkenny facility in 1993. The facility was formerly known as Sigro Limited and was established in 1981. Kirchhoff Ireland employs 53 people in the production of automotive components for the European car and heavy vehicle industries. It currently has sales of around £5 million per year.

Kirchhoff Ireland has an established reputation as a competitive and flexible producer of pressed and welded parts, components and engineering tools for the automotive industry. The Group’s decision to develop the Letterkenny facility was based on several key advantages it holds. It has over 20 years experience in the business, a highly skilled, high quality and committed workforce, a management team with an entrepreneurial spirit and is a cost competitive operating base.

The Kirchhoff Group of Iserlohn, Germany, is a global player in the automotive components industry and is also a producer of high performance tools and waste management vehicles. The Group, established in 1785, is a privately owned business, owned and managed by the Kirchhoff family. It operates manufacturing facilities around the world - five in Germany and others in Ireland, Portugal, Poland, Mexico and Brazil. Its customers include the major automotive companies and it is an accredited Tier 1 supplier to Ford, GM, VW/Audi and Daimler Chrysler.