Enda’slasttriptoKerryasTaoiseach?
Kenny gets taste for innovative Kingdom
THE Taoiseach quit Kerry with a stronger sense of our genius for producing and innovating in the food sector. Kenny officially opened The Kerry Food Hub in Firies, where the number of homegrown firms currently operating there left him deeply impressed by the range of products they are bringing to market.
The visit came after the Taoiseach cut the ribbon on the IDA’s new Advance Technology Building in the Kerry Technology Park.
Kerry native IDA CEO Martin Shanahan said the building - which provides ‘ high quality’ production and office space - is set to underpin the agency’s task of attracting more overseas employers to the county.
“The availability of high quality property solutions is a key component in winning Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects. IDA has a particular focus on regional job creation and this new Advance Technology Building will advance that aim in this region,” Mr Shanahan said. THE Taoiseach met again with the directors of Killarney industry Tricel as his visit rolled onto the South Kerry tourist mecca at lunchtime.
Kenny’s visit to the plastics manufacturer came nearly two years since he was present in France at the signing of contracts facilitating Tricel’s expanding business in the country.
At that time he signalled his intention to travel to its Kerry HQ, duly honouring his word on Monday in a visit in which he was given a guided tour of the expansive plant where the firm manufactures a range of complex ‘ high performance’ solutions for use in water, environmental, construction and materials industries.
It’s one of the great industrial success stories of modern Kerry. Founded by Con and Ann Stack in 1973, Tricel – as it was rebranded in recent years from Killarney Plastics – is now helmed by the couple’s four sons, Managing Director Mike Stack and brothers Con, Robert and Richard.
The Taoiseach’s visit came as a warm family occasion for all involved in the success story, including the 134 employees - of its 350-strong workforce - who operate the Killarney home plant at a time when it further expands in France.