Two former executives of bathroom company Qualceram Shires have today announced a new venture that will create 50 jobs in Arklow, Co Wicklow.
Inver Bathrooms was announced today by John O’ Loughlin, former Qualceram chief executive, and John Byrne, former sales and marketing director.
In a statement, Inver said it will distribute and market bathroom suites in Ireland, the United Kingdom, the Gulf States, and the United States. The new business is to start trading in October, is targeting the luxury end of the bathroom market, and aims to introduce new products to its markets.
Inver Bathrooms said it chose Arklow as its base due to its logistics location for key markets in Ireland and the United Kingdom, and its tradition in the Irish pottery industry.
Commenting on the venture, Mr O’Loughlin, Inver Bathrooms CEO, said: “This is an exciting venture for both John and me. We established Qualceram in 1988 in what were very challenging economic conditions, and managed to bring that company to a peak where it employed 1,150 employees with a turnover exceeding €100 million.
"While economic conditions are currently even more challenging, we have high ambitions for Inver Bathrooms and expect to be a driving force within the market."