Pipelife announces next phase of its ongoing €35m investment

Following completion of its Phase 1 investment of €13m, Cork-based Pipelife announces the next phase of its ongoing €35m investment as it launches a multimillion Euro Training, Innovation & Development Programme to fuel growth. Pipelife, one of Ireland’s leading manufacturers and providers of plastic piping systems, has announced the launch of an ambitious three-year Training, Innovation & Development Programme to support the future growth of the business.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin TD, pictured with Ray O’Connor, Head of Regional and Enterprise Development, IDA; Brian Cremin, Managing Partner, 3SIXTY; Gerard Healy, Managing Director, Pipelife; Sharon Grant, Project Executive, Green Economy & Engineering , IDA (back); Conor Manning, Operations Director, Pipelife, Faye Murphy, Regional Business Development Executive, IDA, and Brian O’Brien, Partner, Pipelife, at the offices of Cork-based Pipelife, where the company announced the next phase of its ongoing €35m Investment as it Launches a multimillion Euro Training, Innovation & Development Programme to Fuel Growth. Picture: Michael O’Sullivan /OSM PHOTO

“This is a €4m programme which represents the largest investment in people in the history of our business. Our industry, like others, is changing. We knew we needed to evolve to stay ahead; to continue to be competitive, and to attract and retain the vital skills we need to continue to grow our business. This is all about investing in our people and is going to be transformational for Pipelife” said Gerard Healy, Managing Director of Pipelife Ireland. The programme is supported by the Irish government through IDA Ireland.

Commenting on the announcement, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke TD, said: “Congratulations to Pipelife as they launch their multimillion-euro Training, Innovation & Development Programme. Training and development of staff is one of the best investments a company can make. This phase of development demonstrates Pipelife’s commitment to Ireland and their employees, while also underscoring both the Irish Government and IDA Ireland’s priority for regional investment”.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin TD said: “I am delighted to officially launch Pipelife’s Training, Innovation & Development Programme. The Government is committed to investing in vital infrastructure and skills to ensure our economy continues to grow, and similarly this €4m programme demonstrates Pipelife’s commitment to strengthening and future-proofing its own business and contributing to the broader growth of Ireland’s manufacturing and sustainability sectors.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin TD pictured being greeted by Conor Manning, Operations Director, and Gerard Healy, Managing Director, at the offices of Cork-based Pipelife, where the company announced the next phase of its ongoing €35m Investment as it Launches a multimillion Euro Training, Innovation & Development Programme to Fuel Growth. Picture: Michael O’Sullivan /OSM PHOTO

Initiatives like this are vital in ensuring our workforce is equipped for the future, and I commend Pipelife for its forward-thinking approach. I look forward to seeing the positive impact this Training, Innovation & Development Programme, as well as the newly opened Eco Renewables Training Academy, will have.”

Pipelife Ireland Managing Director, Gerard Healy, continues “IDA Ireland was hugely supportive of our plans from day one. We see this as a massive sign of confidence in what we do, how we do it, and our ambitions for the future. Similarly, our corporate parent, Wienerberger Group, is very excited about what we have planned in terms of this transformational upskilling of our people over the next three years”.

Pipelife partnered with 3SIXTY, the Cork-based management consultancy, to design and deliver a site-wide, multi-year Training, Innovation & Development Programme. Gerard Healy explains “We knew we needed to do this but finding the time to do it was always the challenge. 3SIXTY did all of the heavy lifting in terms of building the Training, Innovation & Development programme. We would not have done this if it wasn’t for 3SIXTY’s involvement”.

The programme includes a range of initiatives specifically tailored around Pipelife’s skills requirements. The programme will see Pipelife employees undertake training on a range of areas over the next three years, including Digitalisation, Leadership Development, Sustainability, Innovation, Operational Excellence, and Advanced Manufacturing techniques.

Pipelife has also completed its new state of the art on-site Eco Renewables Training Academy. This will allow both trainee and fully-qualified plumbers, and other tradespeople, architects and specifiers to learn about the latest sustainability advancements in renewables in the sector, in a structured learning environment. This cutting-edge development will see Pipelife developing deeper relationships across the industry, and Education & Training Boards in what is a hugely exciting step for the company.