40 new roles will be created at the facility over the next 18 months, which is set to be operational by April.
The new site is part of Zeus’ national logistics and distribution strategy, with four key facilities to be positioned throughout Ireland. The new roles in Cork will be created across logistics, distribution, commercial, and administration.
During the past 12 months Zeus has added a further €75m (£66.4m) of revenue through acquisition. The circa-€470m business acquired Polpack in Poland in February, the first step in its 2023 growth programme targeting revenues of more than €500m.
This followed the firm’s acquisition of Swanline Group and its sister company BoxMart, as well as Canadian agricultural supply business Agri-Flex, last year.
Adrian Lannon, chief operations officer at Zeus, said: “As Zeus has expanded organically through strategic acquisition, we now need to futureproof our operational capacity and capability in line with both customer expectation and company growth.
“Today’s announcement forms part of a wider strategy to enhance service levels throughout Ireland while increasing operational efficiencies.
“This new modern facility will allow optimised placement of stocks around the country, bringing products closer to our customers. We also have plans for further investment in our Limerick operations, consolidating our JJ O’Toole, Limerick Packaging and Zeus Limerick business operations.”
Zeus founder Brian O’Sullivan added: “I grew up in east Cork, and it’s where I started my working life. I am very proud to now be reinvesting back in my local roots, opening this new facility in Watergrasshill. This will greatly improve our capability within the region, create new jobs, deliver a better work life balance for our colleagues and importantly, deliver greater service options to our customers.”
Officially opening the facility today (3 March), minister for finance Michael McGrath said: “Zeus is an inspirational example of a home-grown company scaling internationally, having been founded by Brian O’Sullivan in 1998.
“Having followed their global growth with interest, I am delighted to today open the new Watergrasshill logistics facility, which will provide a major boost for the local economy.”
With over 12,000 pallet space, the Watergrasshill facility will operate voice controlled ‘Warehouse Management System’ integrating four other logistics centres within Limerick and Dublin.
Zeus Packaging’s customers include Kaufland, Lidl, Aldi, ABP, Harrods, Musgrave, Ryanair, and McDonald’s. The business employs over 900 people worldwide.
