An €8 million factory extension at Cygnum’s Macroom production facility in County Cork will create 150 new jobs and lift the Irish timber frame manufacturer’s output from 1,400 to 2,500 housing units. The investment was unveiled Thursday at an inauguration ceremony attended by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, marking a near-doubling of capacity at one of Ireland’s leading offsite housing manufacturers.
Cygnum, which specialises in the design, manufacture, and installation of timber frame structures, installed 1,250 housing units across Ireland last year, with the expanded facility positioned to accelerate delivery significantly. “Cygnum’s expansion, and the creation of 150 new jobs, is a clear vote of confidence in the future of modern methods of construction in Ireland,” Martin said.
Martin framed the investment as directly aligned with the Government’s priorities in housing supply, regional development, and sustainability, and commended both the Cygnum team and Chadwicks Group for their leadership. “This new facility will help increase capacity and support the delivery of high-quality homes for communities across the country,” he said.
Cygnum recorded turnover of more than €34.6 million in 2024, up from €23.6 million the previous year, whilst operating profits grew from €1.45 million to €5.46 million across the same period. The company recently joined Chadwicks Group, part of the Grafton Group, which intends to operate Cygnum alongside its broader distribution business.
Chadwicks Group chief executive Patrick Atkinson said the expansion reflects both the company’s ambition and its capacity to deliver at scale. “Increasing capacity to this level is a significant step in supporting the delivery of new homes at the pace and scale required,” Atkinson said, adding that Cygnum is “exceptionally well positioned to drive continued innovation and growth within the sector.”
The new extension incorporates advanced manufacturing technologies and digitalisation, enabling greater precision, improved efficiency, and more sustainable use of materials across the production process. Founded in 1997, Cygnum has delivered projects spanning large-scale housing developments, hotels, apartment buildings, care homes, and schools.
Managing director John Desmond said the investment arrives at a pivotal moment for the business, pointing to the integration of advanced manufacturing as central to Cygnum’s competitive positioning. “By expanding our capacity and embracing advanced manufacturing technologies, we are better positioned than ever to support our customers in delivering much-needed homes across Ireland,” Desmond told the inauguration ceremony.
