Macroom-based Cygnum announce €8 million expansion

Cygnum Timber Frame, which supplies and installs offsite timber frame structures, has opened an €8 million extension to its Macroom factory.

The expansion will support the future hiring of 150 new employees and was formally opened by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin at a special event recently.

The event included a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a tour of the new facility with Martin and representatives from Enterprise Ireland, the Construction Industry Federation (CFI), and key stakeholders across the industry.

John Desmond, Managing Director of Cygnum said the expansion was a “transformative moment for the company”.

“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.

“We are proud to play a leading role in modern methods of construction and to contribute to a more sustainable built environment,” he said.

Cygnum was founded in 1997. It designs, manufactures, and installs timber frame structures for residential developments and has grown to become a significant contributor in Ireland’s offsite construction sector.

The new extension incorporates advanced manufacturing technologies and digitalisation, enabling greater precision, improved efficiency, and more sustainable use of materials.

Off-site construction refers to the design and manufacture of building materials away from where they are eventually used.

A spokesperson for Cygnum said the opening comes at “a time of continued evolution within the Irish construction sector, with timber frame construction now widely adopted as the primary method for low-rise housing developments”.

“This shift is being driven by the need to accelerate housing delivery, address labour shortages, and reduce carbon emissions,” they said.

Cygnum was recently acquired by Chadwicks Group, a nationwide supplier of building materials.

Patrick Atkinson, the group’s CEO said the expansion is a clear demonstration of Cygnum’s “ambition and capability”.

“Increasing capacity to this level is a significant step in supporting the delivery of new homes at the pace and scale required,” he said.

Micheál Martin said the expansion was “a clear vote of confidence in the future of modern methods of construction in Ireland”.

“The investment aligns strongly with the Government’s priorities of increasing housing supply, supporting regional development, and building a more sustainable future for Ireland,” he said.