Leadership Base of Manufacturers Take a Tour with Kent Stainless

A large number of visiting manufacturing professionals capitalised on the innovations and developments on show during a tour of Kent Stainless’ state-of-the-art 8000m2 manufacturing plant in Ardcavan, Wexford on Tuesday 23rd April.  This event was part of an ongoing series of Wexford Chamber free ‘Manufacturing Excellence’ Site Visits.

Founded by Pat Kent in 1982 as a small general engineering company, Kent Stainless design and manufacture bespoke and branded stainless steel products.  The family-run business has become an exporter in its own right, with €9 million worth of goods exported last year.  In 1990 the company began specialising in stainless steel draining products.  Sustained growth by the company throughout the 1990s led to the introduction of stainless steel surface protection and in the late 1990s this began the demand for outdoor applications.

The in-house production capabilities of Kent Stainless enable the company to provide all types of custom fabrication to a board range of industries.  The company’s ongoing commitment to implement innovative engineering solutions was clear to see when management provided guests with a tour of their extensive facilities, including laser cutting, electropolishing, pipe bending and bead blasting.

Speaking at the event, Ann O’Brien, Manager Director at Kent Stainless said, “The company’s ability to bounce back from the lows of the downturn lies in its diversified range of stainless steel products aimed at niche market sectors.”  Kent Stainless currently export to nine countries including Qatar and South Africa.  Ann spoke about the recent international successes that have marked a new phase in Kent’s development and how this growth has resulted in Kent Stainless increasing its workforce again to 104 employees.

Attendees heard how the company’s first venture to the Middle East resulted in the company securing a €5.5 million contract in February 2011 to design streetscapes for a new city being built in Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup.  2011 and 2012 saw Kent Stainless ship 700 tonnes of stainless steel to Qatar and in January 2013, a new sales office was opened in Qatar by Kent Stainless.

Commending Kent Stainless for their efforts in identifying and building new markets abroad, Madeleine Quirke, CEO, Wexford Chamber added, “It is fantastic to see a Wexford based company such as Kent Stainless, consistently demonstrate, that with the ingenuity and acumen to survive, real opportunities exist for those who are adaptable, innovative, and knowledgeable.  I hope that their success will encourage and inspire other industry experts to identity manufacturing innovation and sustainability.”

Kent Stainless have won numerous prestigious contracts including the Luas Tram System in Dublin and the supply of handrails for the Olympic Stadium in London.  Another major success story for the company has been the full range of stainless steel products, fabricated by Kent Stainless, which are currently on view in Dublin Airport Terminal 2.

For further information please contact Wexford Chamber on 053 912226 or email info@wexfordchamber.ie

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