Minister O'Keeffe announces 31 jobs as Cork aluminium firm expands

3 September, 2010

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O’Keeffe TD, today [Friday] announced 31 new jobs under an expansion plan by a firm that designs aluminium window and door systems.

Minister O'Keeffe announced the jobs at the opening of a new €8 million aluminium extrusion plant in Architectural and Metal Systems (AMS) based in Little Island, Co Cork.

The plant is the first of its kind in Ireland.

The new jobs are supported by the Government through Enterprise Ireland.

Recruitment is now under way.

Aluminium extrusion is a process which produces lengths of precision aluminium profiles which are the essential raw material for aluminium window and door-makers, engineers and sign manufacturers.

AMS, established in Cork 20 years ago, employs 66 workers making aluminium products such as curtain walling, window and door systems and related components.

The new extrusion plant will give AMS control of extruded aluminium - its key raw material - helping the firm to boost exports and improve competitiveness.

The plant will also be able to supply other Irish firms which until now have depended on imported extruded aluminium profiles.

The €8 million investment is in addition to a previous €4 million spend on a state-of-the-art powder paint-coating line in the firm.

Announcing the 31 jobs, Minister O’Keeffe described AMS as an ‘ambitious export-led Irish firm that put innovation at the heart of its business growth model’.

’AMS has responded to the call for economic recovery by implementing an ambitious investment plan based on cutting-edge technology with a strong export-based focus.

’The result is an important jobs boost for Cork and enhanced competitiveness for other Irish firms that will soon be able to source aluminium extrusion products here at home.

’Our economic recovery will be export-led and AMS’ expansion plan is a paradigm other Irish firms should follow with Government support as we continue to tackle unemployment, create jobs, drive competitiveness and return to growth,’ said Minister O'Keeffe.

The managing director of AMS, Chris Martin, said: ‘This investment is the culmination of a long-held ambition of the directors to have all the processes from extrusion to powder-coating and fabrication on the one site.

‘This gives AMS a unique level of flexibility which is unrivalled in Ireland and very rare in Europe or the UK.’

The chief executive of Enterprise Ireland, Frank Ryan, said: ‘AMS is a manufacturing company based in Cork that is world-class in terms of its commitment to quality and the scale of its ambition.

‘This sizable investment is the next significant step in AMS’ internationalisation strategy and Enterprise Ireland looks forward to working closely with AMS as it strives to achieve strong positions in global markets.’

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About AMS: Established in Cork in 1990, the firm manufactures aluminium products such as curtain walling, window and door systems and systems-related components. AMS designs, develops and commercialises its own patented range of architectural façade systems. These products are unique in thermal efficiency and aesthetic design. AMS is considered a leading supplier of energy efficient glazing systems and related architectural products.

ENDS

Bernard Mallee, Press Adviser to Minister Batt O'Keeffe, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Tel: +353 1 631 3944, Mobile: +353 87 9173022, Email: bernard.mallee@deti.ie

Ciara O’Mahony, Press Officer, Enterprise Ireland, Tel: +353 87 2043435, Mobile: + 353 1 7272284, Email: ciara.omahony@enterprise-ireland.com