Quinn Group

Infobox_Company
company_name = QUINN group
company_
company_type = Privately Owned
slogan = "Strength through Diversity"
foundation = 1973
location = Derrylin, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland
key_people = Sean Quinn, Chairperson
num_employees = 7,000 - 2007
industry = Financial Services, Manufacturing, Hotel & Property Management
products = General Insurance, Healthcare, Container Glass, Domestic and Specification Radiators, Cement, Tarmac, Thermal Blocks, Rooftiles, Prestressed Concrete, Polyurethane & Polystyrene Insulation, Landfill, Power, Hotels and Property
homepage = [http://www.quinn-group.com www.quinn-group.com]

The QUINN group is a business group headquartered in Derrylin, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. The privately owned group is one of Ireland's most successful companies, it has ventured into cement and concrete products, container glass, general insurance, radiators, plastics, hotels and real estate. It was formed by its Chairman Sean Quinn in 1973, developing from a small quarrying operation in Derrylin into the large organization, employing over 7,000 people in various locations throughout Europe.

Since 2004 the Group has seen great expansion throughout Europe. With radiator and plastic manufacturing plants in the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, France, Spain and Slovakia. The QUINN group property portfolio also includes hotel and business centres in Poland, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Turkey and Russia. Quinn-direct Insurance has commenced trading in Belgium and the Netherlands and work is currently underway on a new chemical facility in Leuna, Germany. Its first venture into the cement industry was in 1989. Its general insurance arm, QUINN-direct in was launched in 1996. The commissioning of its first container glass plant was in 1998 and the acquisition of the health insurer Bupa Ireland [ [http://www.rte.ie/business/2007/0417/Quinn.html RTE, 'Quinn Group plans more Fermoy jobs', 17th April 2007] ] Ireland took place in 2007.

QUINN Manufacuring

The manufacturing division's main activities are the manufacture and supply of cement and concrete products including, rooftiles, prestress flooring, Quinn-lite blocks, polystyrene insulation products, tarmac and general quarry products. QUINN Quarries are involved in the extraction and processing of sand and gravel since the 1970's, [ [http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2005/02/27/story2659.asp "Sunday Business Post", 'Family values dominate Irish business', 27th February 2007 ] ] the Quarries Division of the Group still produces these products today. Quarry stone, washed sand, gravel, ready mixed concrete and concrete blocks are all produced at Quinn plants. The second quarry in Williamstown, Co. Galway was founded in 1977 to supply Galway and the surrounding counties with quarry and concrete products.

QUINN Rooftiles commenced production in 1982 with a purpose built factory at Gortmullen, Derrylin. This first plant was commissioned in 1982. However due to market demand a new factory built on the existing site commenced production in 2001 and was expanded again in 2005. Quinn Rooftiles maybe considered as a major supplier to the construction sector throughout Ireland. QUINN Prestressed began producing prestressed concrete products in 1984. All of these products are used in a range of domestic and industrial building applications. [ [http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/top-100-companies/article1930857.ece "Belfast Telegraph", 'Top 100 companies', 14th September 2007] ] QUINN Lite produces lightweight thermal blocks. The blocks are for use in the construction internal and external walls above and inner and outer leaves of cavity walls. QUINN Lite Pac, Granard, Co. Longford was founded in 1975 to produce and distribute expanded polystyrene thermal insulation products for the construction industry. The product is an expanded polystyrene board for insulating floors. A large proportion of this product is used in the insulation of commercial,industrial and domestic buildings.

QUINN Therm, at Scotchtown, Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan was commissioned in October 2004 to produce and distribute rigid polyurethane thermal insulation products for the Irish and UK market. Quinn Therm produces rigid foam board for cavity wall insulation. QUINN Tarmac was established in 1994 to produce a range of blacktop products. QUINN Cement has been in production since 1989 at its Derrylin site using local raw material from the quarry facilities. [ [http://www.cementindustry.co.uk/pdf/CONCRETE%20Jul%2006%20Forty%20Years%20of%20Cement%20Manufacture%20pp%2034%20to%2036.pdf Cement, 'Forty years of UK cement manufacturing 1966 to 2006', July 2006] ] Given the increasing demand generated from the construction sector over the years, a second plant was commissioned in 2000 in the northern part of the Republic of Ireland, outside the small town of Ballyconnell and close to the Northern Ireland border. [ [http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/freeabs_all.jsp?arnumber=1204718 Cement Industry Technical Conference, 'Quinn Cement - a modern plant in Ireland, 9th May 2003] ]

QUINN Plastics is a supplier of transparent plastic sheet products (formerly known as Barlo Plastics). Barlo Plastics was created in 1998 by the merger of 4 plastic sheet producers and further expanded by another four sheet extrusion companies in 1999 and 2000. In 2004 Barlo Plastics was acquired by Quinn Group and renamed as Quinn Plastics. With their headquarters based in Derrylin, Co. Fermanagh the company has operating facilities in Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Slovakia, the UK and the Czech Republic. Quinn Plastics produces 90,000 tonnes annually and employs over 700 people. In 2005, the company purchased a start up business, known as Polyex in the UK which is now the base for their Alfreton production site. [ [http://www.theglazine.com/newsarchive/news280605.html THE GL@ZINE News, 'Quinn Plastics acquires Polyex Ltd, 28th June 2005] ] Quinn Plastics provide products for many different applications including building and construction, interior design and safety. [ [http://www.buildingdesign.co.uk/facil-group3/quinn-plastics/plastic-sheets.htm Building Design and Construction Services Directory, Accessed 13th September 2007] ]

In May 2004, the Quinn Group acquired the Barlo Group PLC. [ [http://biz.yahoo.com/ic/101/101297.html Yahoo Finance, Accessed 13th September 2007] ] This led to the announcement of the formation of Quinn Plastics on January 1st 2005. [ [http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=135011 PR Newswire Europe, 'Barlo Plastics becomes Quinn Plastics, 23rd November 2004] ] The company’s main business lies in the production of domestic and industrial products. In 2005, the company purchased a start up business, known as Polyex in the U.K. which is now the base for their Alfreton production site. [ [http://www.theglazine.com/newsarchive/news280605.html THE GL@ZINE News, 'Quinn Plastics acquires Polyex Ltd, 28th June 2005] ]

QUINN Chemicals is currently constructing a plant to manufacture methylmethacrylate (MMA) in Leuna in eastern Germany. The MMA plant is scheduled to start production in 2009. At full capacity, the new plant will produce approximately 100,000 tonnes of MMA a year for the world market. The plant will produce many different products including glazing, sanitary products, lightning, display, and household goods. [ [http://www.rte.ie/business/2005/1114/quinn.html RTE Business, 'Quinn invests in new German plastics plant', 14th November 2005] ]

QUINN Packaging (trading as Barlo Packaging until 2004) has been servicing the food industry with rigid packaging since the 1980’s from its plant in Newbridge, when the dairy spreads / yellow fats markets initially emerged. [ [http://www.rte.ie/business/2007/0822/Quinn.html RTE Business, 'Quinn to close packaging plant', 22nd August 2007] ] . Quinn packaging also has a factory in Ballyconnell, built in 2006, that produces food trays, film and thin gauge sheet for the food packaging industry.

As a large user of electricity within its manufacturing base, QUINN Power constructed a five megawatt wind farm in 1995 on the Slieve Rushen Mountain, which nestles behind the core-manufacturing base of the Group at Derrylin. This was further complemented in 2004 by the addition of a 13.5 megawatt wind farm at Snugborough, Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan. [ [http://www.anglocelt.ie/frontpage/quinn-to-shakeup-electricity-market-676712.html "Anglo Celt", 'Quinn to shake-up electricity market', 3rd May 2007] ] The power generated is fed into the National Grid. The Group is in the planning stages of further developments in this area. [ [http://www.airtricity.com/ireland/media_center/news/news_archive/quinn_group_on_a_winner/index.xml Airtricity, 'Quinn Group on a winner', 9th June 2004] ]

In 1998, the Quinn Group moved into the container glass market, with the establishment of QUINN Glass, which manufactures glass containers for the food and beverage industries with operations in Ireland and the UK. [ [http://www.delni.gov.uk/quinn_glass.pdf Department of Enterprise and Learning, 'Glass factory a clear winner thanks to training', 20th August 2007] ] The first plant went into production at the end of 1998 producing a full range of flint, green and amber containers. The plant is based in Derrylin and employs over 370 staff with an annual production capacity of 720 million containers. This is expected to increase to 830 millions units in 2008 with the completion of a furnace rebuild at the plant. Quinn Glass are one of only a handful of plants worldwide where bottles can be manufactured and filled on a single site, it features one of the largest automated warehouses in Europe, capable of handling 282,000 pallets of filled and unfilled glass containers. [ [http://www.packaging-technology.com/projects/quinn/ Packaging Technology, 'Quinn Glass bottle production facility, Elton', Accessed 13th September 2007] ]

In 2005, Quinn Glass expanded, and built a second plant at Elton, Cheshire creating over 550 new jobs. [ [http://www.bsi-uk.com/Environment/CaseStudies/QuinnGlass_EMS_CaseStudy.pdf BSI Management Systems, 'BSI case study on the benefits of ISO 14001:Registration', September 2006] ] The glass container plant in Elton is one of the most sophisticated in the world, producing 20 percent of glass container requirements in the UK. [ [http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/Technology+Ireland/Archive/Packaging+-+Hugh+Oram.htm Enterprise Ireland, 'Packaging', 9th January 2006] ] The site provides a comprehensive glass packaging, filling and distribution service for the drinks industry. The facilities at the plant include a beverage filling hall, warehousing, two glass melting furnaces and 13 production lines. The capacity of the second plant is currently 1.2 billion units, [ [http://www.packaging-technology.com/projects/quinn/ Packaging Technology,'Quinn Glass bottle production facility, Elton', Accessed 13th September 2007] ] with production capacity of both plants estimated to be 2.4 billion units in 2008. The plant has five lines capable of bottling a total of 400 bottles of wine, or 1,000 bottles of beer a minute. Having manufacturing and bottling on the same site can reduce costs and keep prices competitive. By offering bottling services, there is the potential for glass makers to win more business as an overflow plant in times of high demand, and it is as a contract packing operation that the greatest benefits from bottling lines are likely to be had. [ [http://www.packaging-technology.com/projects/quinn/ Packaging Technology, 'Quinn Glass bottle production facility, Elton', Accessed 13th September 2007] ]

QUINN Radiators is one of Europe's leading producers of domestic and specification radiators with production facilities in Ireland, the UK and Belgium. The production facility in Leigh in the UK produces the 'roundtop' range whilst the production facility in Grobbendonk, Belgium, produces the 'compact' range. The division's interest in the specification radiator market is represented through the Merriott brand based in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, Ireland. [ [http://www.warehousenews.co.uk/News/January_2007/L-swisslog_quinn.html Warehouse News] ] In May 2004, the Quinn Group acquired the Barlo Group, this led to the announcement of the formation of Quinn Radiators on January 1st 2005. [ [http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/article576314.ece "The Times", 'Quinn mulls 150 million Euro Leipzig plant', 9th October 2005] ] At the start of 2007, a new radiator facility went into production in Newport, South Wales. This major investment will create the most modern and efficient radiator plant in the world, with the creation of nearly 500 jobs. [ [http://www.rte.ie/business/2005/0816/QUINN.html RTE Business, 'Quinn group to create 460 Welsh jobs', 16th August 2005] ] Not only will this Quinn plant be the largest domestic radiator plant in the world, but the site will also host the company's European HQ operation for the division. Quinn Radiators plans to reach production of four million radiators a year at its new European headquarters in South Wales by 2008. [ [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-135211888.html Highbeam Research, 'Radiator plant is to be the biggest', 17th August 2005] ]

QUINN Financial Services

QUINN Direct Insurance Limited is an Irish based general insurance company that was established in 1996 by the Quinn Group. [ [http://www.harlosh.com/news_quinn.htm Harlosh, 'Harlosh drives growth for Irelands largest privately owned insurer', Accessed 13th September 2007] ] The company’s Head Office is based on the Dublin Road, County Cavan, and employs over 1700 staff at offices in Cavan, Enniskillen, Dublin and Manchester. Quinn Direct is the only privately owned indigenous insurance company operating on the island (many of the players in the insurance market, both in Northern Ireland and Ireland are subdivisions of larger multinationals). [ [http://www.intertradeireland.com/uploads/doc/2quinndirect.pdf Intertrade Ireland,' Quinn Direct - 'Island Operational profile', 25th February 2004] ] The company’s main business lies in the provision of a range of general insurance products including [http://www.quinn-direct.com/car/ car insurance] , van insurance, motorcycle insurance, [http://www.quinn-direct.com/house/ Home insurance] , liability and commercial property insurance. Quinn Direct has currently over 700,000 customers and is the second largest insurer in the Irish Insurance market. [ [http://www.independent.ie/business/personal-finance/latest-news/quinn-ups-the-ante-in-insurance-stakes-1059498.html "The Independent", 'Quinn ups the ante in insurance stakes, 16th August 2007] ]

After its inception in 1996, the company expanded and opened an office on O’Connoll Street in Dublin in 1997. Also, in March 2003 the Minister with responsibility for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Ian Pearson announced the opening of the new offices in Enniskillen. [ [http://archive.nics.gov.uk/eti/030326b-eti.htm Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment] ] This was followed by the announcement of the purchase of an 11 storey office block in Blanchardstown in April 2003, [ [http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/article1129703.ece "The Times", 'Quinn buys Dunnes office for 30 Million Euro', 13th April 2003] ] with the subsequent official opening of the Q Centre by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in September 2004. The company since moved into the UK Commercial business, where it has been operating through its Salford Quays office in Manchester since 2003.On the 31st August 2006, the minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Micheál Martin, announced the creation of 1000 new jobs with the development of a new office facility in Navan, County Meath. [ [http://www.entemp.ie/press/2006/20060831.htm Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment] ] Quinn Direct has currently over 700,000 customers and is the second largest insurer in the Irish Insurance market. [ [http://www.independent.ie/business/personal-finance/latest-news/quinn-ups-the-ante-in-insurance-stakes-1059498.html "The Independent", 'Quinn ups the ante in insurance stakes', 16th August 2007] ]

QUINN Life, Launched in January 2000, [ [http://www.frsolutions.ie/news/article.asp?id=14 Financial RiskSolutions, 'Quinn Life selects financial risk solutions', 6th February 2000] ] its Head Office is based on the Dublin Road, County Cavan. Quinn Life offers financial services to customers in Ireland, and the company’s business includes investments, savings, pensions and retirement plans. QUINN-life offers pensions and savings under the Freeway brand. [ [http://www.enn.ie/frontpage/news-9685572.html ENN, 'Quinn Life launches web offering', 9th May 2006] ] . In February 2007, QUINN Healthcare entered the Irish health insurance market with the completion of its takeover of BUPA Ireland Limited's business. The new company will be known as Quinn Healthcare. [ [http://www.blackrock-clinic.ie/Links Blackrock Clinic, 'QUINN Healthcare', Accessed 13th September 2007] ] The newly formed QUINN-healthcare operation now employs over 300 personnel and has a membership base of 445,000. [ [http://www.munster-express.ie/070727/news10.htm "Munster Express", ] ]

QUINN Hotels

The Quinn Group currently have nine hotels located throughout Ireland, the UK and Europe. [ [http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2004/02/29/story82628969.asp "Business Post", Ireland business dynasties: who they are and what they're worth' 29th February 2004] ] The list of current hotel properties includes:
*Buswells Hotel, one of the oldest Dublin city centre hotels, comprised of five Georgian townhouses. The hotel has operated since 1882 and is located next to the Dáil.
*The Belfry Hotel in the English countryside in Wishaw. The Belfry is famous worldwide for its links with The Ryder Cup, which it has hosted on four occasions. The resort has also been the venue for many other PGA European Tour events, and since 2006 it has been home to the Quinn Insurance British Masters.
*The five star Hilton Hotel in Prague on the right bank of the Vltava River.
*The Slieve Russell Hotel is based in Sean Quinns hometown Ballyconnell in County Cavan.The Quinn Group also operate a number of public houses including; the Cat and Cage, Messrs Maguire, Q-Bar, the Shamrock Lodge, and Barge Inn all in Dublin, as well as Quinn's, in Cambridge. The group also own the Iveagh Fitness Club, originally built as the Iveagh Trust Baths in 1905.

QUINN Property

QUINN Property is a division of the international Quinn Group which specialise in the development and management of commercial real-estate, for lease in a number of markets across Europe. [ [http://www.village.ie/Ireland/Feature/Quinn_Group_made_a_pre-tax_profit_of_%80632m_last_year/ Village.ie, 'Quinn group made a pre-tax profit of 632 million Euros last year', 8th March 2007,] ] The Quinn Group is also considering investment in India, and is about to open an office in the country. It is considering several locations, but is expected to opt for Hyderabad, which is regarded as an up-and-coming location for high-tech multinationals. [ [http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2007/07/01/story24793.asp "Business Post", 'Quinn's long march east, 1 July 2007] ] Current properties in the Quinn portfolio include, the Leonardo Business Centre and Univermag shopping centre in Ukraine, the Kutuzoff Tower and Caspiy Business Centre in Moscow, Kazan Logistics Park in Kazan, the Prestige Mall in Istanbul, Turkey and the Russian DIY store Stroiarsenal in Yekaterinburg.

QUINN Energy

In 2007 the QUINN Group applied for planning permission for natural gas-fired power stations at Toomes in Louth and Toherroe, Co Galway, to generate 450 and 400-450 megawatts respectively. These would be among the biggest power stations ever built in Ireland.

Planning for the station in Toomes was granted on 30th May 2008 by An Bord Pleanála as one of the first cases under the Strategic Infrastructure Act 2006 against the Inspector's recommendation, who argued that "the proposed development would be a discordant and incongruous feature in the local rural landscape, would contravene materially the Development Plan and would therefore be contrary to the proper planning and development of the area." [ [http://www.pleanala.ie/documents/reports/PA0/RPA0001.pdf An Bord Pleanála, 'Inspectors Report 1' regarding the Quinn Power Station in Toomes] ]

ee also

Seán Quinn

References

External links

* [http://www.quinn-group.com/ QUINN Group official website]
* [http://www.quinndirectbritishmasters.com/ism/sites/masters/index.shtml QUINN Direct British Masters]
* [http://www.quinn-direct.com/ QUINN direct car insurance official website]