Údarás na Gaeltachta has today (Friday 4th April 2008), at its monthly board meeting held in Béal an Mhuirthead, Co. Mayo, approved assistance to Euro Iompú Teo, one of Ireland’s main coach-building companies based in the Gaoth Dobhair Business Park, Co. Donegal. The company’s expansion will lead to the creation of 100 new jobs over the next 3 years.
The company currently employs 30 people and is to invest €2.5 million in the business to fund a major development strategy. The announcement comes just months after Euro Iompú was put into Examinership. The company has, in the past, supplied City Imp buses to Dublin Bus and sold coaches to operators in the UK. Euro Iompú has now been restructured and has attracted a new investor, Patrick J. Doherty, who has made a substantial investment in the business. Mr. Doherty also owns a number of building contracting, hotel and retail businesses in Donegal.
Commenting on the investment Pádraig Ó hAoláin, CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta said, “This is tremendous news for the Donegal Gaeltacht, having managed to secure a healthy investment in manufacturing, reversing the trend we have seen recently. The growing diversity of companies in the Gaeltacht, from potato crisp manufacturing to medical device companies, helps us show other potential clients that you really can make or service anything from our locations nowadays.”
Mr. Doherty said, “Euro Iompú has the potential of being a great business. We have a skilled workforce that is tremendously committed. Many stayed with the company despite its previous difficulties. We are manufacturing a high value item, using high skills, all necessary to create a long term and profitable business in the area and that has the added benefit of a strong export potential. My vision is to make it first of all the largest coachbuilder on the island and maybe in time to become the largest coachbuilder on these islands.”