CJ Sheeran Ltd – Ireland’s largest pallet manufacturer who have their headquarters in Mountrath – have announced that they have acquired Coolrain Sawmills in a deal signed late last week by Mark Sheeran, MD of CJ Sheeran and Declan Hutchinson, MD of Coolrain Sawmills.
It is a significant piece of business for CJ Sheeran Ltd, which will take its overall number of employees to about 250 with Coolrain Sawmills having about 70 workers at its base near the village of Coolrain outside Mountrth.
The value of the acquisition hasn’t been disclosed.
Declan Hutchinson, who has been MD of Coolrain Sawmills since 1986, will be remaining with the company.
Both businesses are synonymous with the timber industry in Laois, Ireland and the UK.
As well as being Ireland’s largest pallet manufacturer and recycler, supplying a diverse network of pallet users in the Food and Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Medical Device, Technological, Engineering and General Manufacturing sectors.
The company also has ancillary divisions including gates, fencing, equine bedding, garden mulch, biomass and packaging.
Coolrain Sawmills is one of the larger Irish sawmills with markets for fencing and pallet timber in Ireland and the UK.
They also have a significant presence in the hardware trade with the Garden Living brand, which manufactures and supplies fencing and bark mulch to this sector.
With deep roots and relationships in the industry, the combined entity plan to maintain and expand current relationships with suppliers and customers alike.
“We are delighted with this deal”, commented Sheeran. “Both companies complement each other with significant synergies achievable in the short to medium term”.
Declan Hutchinson has been MD of Coolrain Sawmills since 1986 and has seen the company going from strength to strength.
The most recent CapEx has installed new lines including automated stacking supplied by specialist Danish company Brodbaek & Co.
“The deal is good for both companies and copper fastens us into the future as a strong, indigenous Irish company with increased export potential,” says Hutchinson.
“I will be remaining on in the business as MD of Coolrain Sawmills along with our team here in Coolrain”.
The deal was completed with the input of Senior Management from both companies, Bank of Ireland, Mason Hayes Curran, Stephen Lynn & Co. and PP Ryan & Co.
