Laois job creation as local business announces €15 million investment
Portarlington homegrown business Camsaw Group reveals plans for J17 enterprise park site purchase
A Portarlington family owned business is investing millions to grow and create jobs in Laois.
Camsaw Group has this Monday, July 27 been approved by Laois County Council councillors, to buy one of their serviced sites in J17 National Enterprise Park, Portlaoise, for €1.8m plus VAT.
The sale was proposed by Cllr Barry Walsh and seconded by Cllr Aidan Mullins.
“Well done to everyone involved, it’s a huge project. It’s great news for the town and county,” noted Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald.
It is part of an ambitious €15 million investment to build a new Midlands headquarters, as Camsaw confirmed to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.
Camsaw’s owners, husband and wife team Paul Carney and Frances Quinn, say they aim to develop “a state-of-the-art logistics and fulfilment centre in County Laois”.
"This investment is about much more than a new building; it's about preparing Camsaw Group for the future. Our ambition is to continue growing our businesses, investing in the latest technology and creating an environment where our people, customers and supplier partners can thrive.
“This new headquarters gives us the platform to achieve that while reaffirming our long-term commitment to County Laois and the Midlands."
They say that the new purpose-built headquarters at J17 Enterprise Park, Portlaoise will mark a significant milestone in the continued growth of the family-owned Irish business.
Strategically located just off the M7 motorway, the new development will become home to a modern logistics, warehousing and fulfilment centre designed to support the continued expansion of the Group's businesses. Camsaw Group comprises Camsaw Distributors Ltd, Camsaw Distribution NI and One Stop Fulfilment, serving customers throughout the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Founded in 1987 by Philip & Rose Carney, Camsaw Group is a proud second-generation family business that has grown into one of Ireland's leading distributors of garden and forestry machinery, outdoor power equipment and a rapidly growing third-party fulfilment provider.
Today, the Group supplies a nationwide network of more than 600 retailers across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, while continuing to invest in its people, technology and infrastructure to support long-term sustainable growth.
The new headquarters will incorporate advanced warehouse technology and logistics systems, significantly increasing capacity, improving operational efficiency and enabling the business to provide an even higher level of service to customers, suppliers and fulfilment partners.
The development will support the continued expansion of Camsaw Distributors Ltd and Camsaw Distribution NI, strengthening the Group's wholesale distribution of garden and forestry machinery and outdoor power equipment, while also providing the infrastructure required for the future growth of One Stop Fulfilment, its third-party logistics and e-commerce fulfilment business.
Construction is expected to be completed in 2028, with the total investment in land, development and supporting infrastructure estimated at approximately €15 million.
The investment is expected to support the continued growth of the business over the coming years, with the Group's workforce anticipated to increase from its current 42 employees to over 65 as the development reaches its full potential, further strengthening County Laois as an important location for logistics, distribution and business investment.
The investment reflects Camsaw Group's confidence in the future of Irish business and its long-term commitment to the Midlands. The new headquarters has been designed to support the Group's ambitious growth plans while ensuring it continues to deliver exceptional service, strengthen supplier partnerships and create lasting value for customers throughout the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.