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Dundalk firm Moffett's celebrates 65 years in business
On Friday Moffett Engineering Limited celebrated their 65th year in business with employees and invited guests reminiscing on their own history and that of the site on Ardee Road.
To mark the event Moffett hosted an historical display of equipment and photographs, highlighting the long and distinguished history of innovation and engineering excellence dating back to the mid 1800s.
Originally the Ardee Road site was developed as a railway works and later was home to Heinkel, CRV, Dundalk Engineering Works and S&S and this tradition continues today with Moffett designing, manufacturing and selling their famous Hiab Moffett Truck Mounted forklift to a global market.
Speaking at Friday's celebrations, Frank Woods of Moffetts said: "It has been 65 years since Cecil Moffett founded a small, family run, engineering business in Clontibret, Co Monaghan. Over the years, Moffett Engineering Limited has grown and adapted, underpinned by a strong customer focus and a culture of innovation, quality and manufacturing excellence.
"This Irish success story continues to work hard, investing in its range of Hiab Moffett truck-mounted forklifts, developing customer solutions and setting industry standards. Today, as part of Cargotec Corporation, Hiab Moffett is the market leader in truck-mounted forklifts and stronger than ever."
Cecil Moffett had humble beginnings, starting out by manufacturing farm implements for his own farm. As word of his enterprise and expertise spread, the Moffett business was born. During the 1950s and 60s, Moffett continued to develop products for the local agricultural market. In the early 70s, the firm entered the global market with multicast products for the building industry. However, it was only in 1986 that it created a small revolution in the transport industry with the invention of the truck-mounted forklift, a three-wheeled drive machine that can be carried on almost any truck or trailer without any loss of load space. This invention made deliveries significantly faster and more cost effective than ever.
In 1996, as production increased and the model range was expanded, Moffett relocated its Truck Mounted Forklift production from the Co Monaghan factory to its plant on the Ardee Road. In 2004, this plant was transformed into a 'Centre of Excellence' for research and development, with an investment of e8 million in enhanced manufacturing facilities, including a new state-of-the-art paint facility. The Dundalk site is now the hub of all R&D and the prime manufacturing plant for all Hiab Moffett truck-mounted forklifts.
In 2000, Moffett Engineering Limited became part of Cargotec Corporation, along with the Dutch truck-mounted forklift manufacturer Kooi. Moffett and Kooi merged into one product line, their combined expertise providing an invaluable competitive edge in almost any market or application.
Today, the truck-mounted forklifts are under the Hiab Moffett brand, referring to their position in Cargotec. Together with Kalmar and MacGregor, Cargotec's daughter brand Hiab is a recognisedleader in cargo and load handling solutions around the world. Operating in more than 120 countries globally, and utilising the shared skills and competencies of a global market leader, Cargotec is ideally positioned close to customers. It creates a foundation for a worldwide sales and service network and offers unrivalled competitiveness in the development of customer-driven solutions.
Moffett gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Louth County Archives and the Local Museum for the loan of photos and historical documents to help mark their 65th anniversary.
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Thursday 17 May 2012
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