Zeus announces €15 million investment in Aldar Tissue quadrupling capacity

Zeus will invest €10 million in the construction of a new 100,000 sq ft Aldar production facility in Rathcoole, providing a purpose-built facility to relocate and expand existing production. Located close to Zeus’ headquarters and Dublin distribution centre to drive operational efficiencies, this new facility will be ready early 2022. A further €5 million will be invested in two new fully-automated, state-of-the-art production lines. The new facility will enable Aldar to quadruple capacity and introduce new premium brands to large retailers across the island of Ireland along with exporting to customers in the UK & Europe.

Speaking on the announcement, Zeus CEO Keith Ockenden said: “Aldar is one of only two toilet tissue manufacturers on the island of Ireland, who combined, represent just 20% of the market. The rest of the Irish toilet tissue market is completely reliant on import. Not only is this a negative from a sustainability perspective, it also highlights the additional challenges brought on by Brexit and the knock-on impact of high distribution costs on the consumer.

“At Zeus, we wish to remove this reliance in the Irish market on UK and European imports by strengthening indigenous manufacturers such as Aldar. Since 2019, we have worked with Aldar to improve financial performance by streamlining costs, maximising efficiencies, leveraging economies of scale, and developing new product lines. Through this continued investment by Zeus into infrastructure and technology, Aldar is on track to becoming the largest toilet tissue producer on the island of Ireland, increasing our Irish capacity to 40% of market needs. This investment protects employment and brings further job creation to the area.’

Commenting on the announcement, Project Manager of Aldar Tissues, Darren Farrell, added: “Since 2013, we have been committed to supplying high-quality products, with a strong emphasis on sustainability. Over the last 3 years, we have invested €4million in in world class paper converting machines, diversified our product ranges and expanded our customer base.

“This investment by Zeus will accelerate our growth path, enabling us to become the largest Irish manufacturer of own brand and private label paper products.”