Timber frame manufacturer Cygnum is creating 50 jobs as it aims to increase its overall output by more than 60% over the next two to three years.
The company has invested €7m during the past five years in its plant in Macroom in Co Cork.
Operating in Macroom since 1997, Cygnum currently produces 850 houses for the Irish market a year and it aims to produce 1,350 homes each year.
The Cygnum facility in Macroom is the most automated timber frame plant in Ireland and the UK, and currently produces five houses a day.
The onsite team engineers and designs the structural timber frame walls, floors and roofs. The digital information is then transferred to the highly automated processing lines on the factory floor, before the finished product is loaded onto trucks for assembly on site.
The company said the market share of timber frame construction has grown to 37% of developments in 2019 to 48% in 2021.
According to Forest Industries Ireland (FII), rapid-build timber homes have the dual benefits of only needing three to five months to construct, while they also save 12 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions compared to conventional builds.
John Desmond, Managing Director at Cygnum, said that demand for timber frame housing is growing steadily year-on-year.
"Timber is the most environmentally friendly mainstream construction material, which means that the houses we manufacture are not only helping to tackle Ireland's housing crisis, but also supporting the transition to a carbon neutral future," Mr Desmond said.
"Over the last five years, we have invested €7m at our site here in Macroom, which will ultimately lead to the creation of up to 50 new jobs," he added.
Tom Kelly, Divisional Manager of Industrial and Lifesciences at Enterprise Ireland, said that Enterprise Ireland is very keen to support Irish companies as they scale and grow, and Cygnum is a fantastic example of this partnership.
Enterprise Ireland recently launched the 'Built To Innovate' funding programme, an initiative under the Government's Housing For All plan to improve productivity and reduce the cost of residential construction.
"Cygnum represents operational excellence in timber frame house manufacturing. It is participating in Enterprise Ireland's productivity improvement programmes and its growth plans will see it well placed to help Ireland tackle the challenge of delivering new, environmentally and economically sustainable housing," Mr Kelly added.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said the 50 new jobs and the increased output are a boost for the company and for the Co Cork area.
"This expansion will also help the Government’s efforts to increase the housing supply, with Cygnum producing timber frames for 1,350 homes every year. These are quicker to construct and also help to reduce carbon dioxide emissions," Mr Varadkar said.
"With a record number of people now at work in Ireland, I remain determined to ensure that jobs are available right across the country. Companies like Cygnum make that possible," he added.
