ATA Group supports local GAA
December 30, 2010applications at its state-of-the-art premises in Killygarry.
Operating from the IDA Business and Technology Park in Killygarry since 2006, the ATA Group has had a presence in Co. Cavan going back over many years and remains one of the county's largest employers with over 100 staff (Ireland & UK) currently on its books.
"We were based in Belturbet and Virginia before moving to this location," Group Operations Manager Peter Robertson explains.
"We merged our core tools and burs businesses when we moved to Killygarry and continue to be a large employer in Cavan. A lot of the staff who were with us in Belturbet and Virginia moved with us so, from a GAA point of view, we have staff from a variety of clubs working with us."
"It makes for good banter and healthy rivalry in the workplace. As everyone knows, Cavan is a football-mad county and nearly everyone is involved in the GAA at some level. Killygarry is our local club, but we try to support every club in the area."
The ATA Group is an international market provider of air tools and carbide burs. Its in-house brands include Procut (International), Morrisflex (UK & France) and ATA (International). The Group's products are used predominately in heavy industrial sectors including Aerospace, Shipbuilding, Energy and Automotive. ATA Group also produce "own label" products for major distributors around the world.
"One of our Group's competitive advantages is that we supply both the tool and the consumable so have the ability to offer a total solution to major manufacturers such as Rolls Royce, BAE Systems and Bath Iron Works."
"In Procut we exclusively specialize in the manufacture of carbide burs and as such we have the expertise to produce highly specialist burs for specific applications, this has allowed us build up an unrivaled knowledge of our product."
ATA was formed in 1957 as an importer and distributor of air tools and consumables. In 1963, the company began production of its own range of portable pneumatic grinders. Over the years, ATA's own range of tools grew to such an extent that it necessitated custom-built premises in Hemel Hempstead in the UK.
Following its acquisition by the Scottish-based PCT Group in 1994, ATA's production was moved to Belturbet where it continued to design, manufacture and distribute its tools internationally to over 50 countries.
In 2006, the PCT Group de-merged the Irish-based divisions of its company that included ATA Tools and Abrasives Ltd, which was based in Virginia manufacturing the Procut brand. Procut is a major global manufacturer of tungsten carbide burs, selling through distribution networks throughout the world. Procut operates with 28 state-of-the-art CNC machines on a 24/7 production schedule producing the highest quality burs.
These Irish-based companies, along with the UK-based ATA Distributor and ATA Grinding Processes Ltd, which now fall under the Tomsburg Group banner, were acquired by an Irish-based investment group called FL Partners in 2008, leading the formation of the ATA Group. The Group consists of Procut Engineering, ATA Tools & Abrasives and ATA Group UK.
The ATA Group employs experienced research and development personnel who over the past two decades have brought to the market high-quality grinders and bur solutions. ATA have designed over 100 generic systems and developed over 600 bespoke systems for its customers, The Procut brand has over 6,000 bur designs on its database.
The middle management team has extensive knowledge of the business and act as advisors to organisations on issues relating to cutting tools, vibration, noise and ergonomics. The senior management team, although relatively new to the business, have worked in senior roles in large multinational organisations.
Recent appointments have been made to the business to develop the organisation and lead growth. These appointments include a Group Operations Managers (Peter Robertson), Group Financial Controller, Customer Services Manager and Marketing Manager.
"We have a challenging growth strategy which will see expansion and further investment in both people and technology," Peter says. "We are also dedicating significant resources to product development and R&D. This year alone we have lodged two new patents. Our focus will now be on leading the industry and bringing new, innovative products to the global market."
"We have invested heavily year-on-year and this is reflected in the number of machines we now operate. In 2006, we operated with 12 machines, in 2007 we operated with 17 and that figure had increased to 28 by the end of 2008.
"After a tough 2009, our sales have recovered enough to warrant further investment in new machines. We are proactively seeking out new markets in the US and Asia. When we break into these new markets, our production capacity will increase as a result, leading to new jobs for the area. We're thinking positively and preparing for the upturn."
For the past 7 years living only a kick of a ball away from Ballyboden St. Enda's Pairc Ui Mhurchu in South Dublin, Peter takes a keen interest in the GAA is hoping 2011 will be a successful year for both Cavan and Dublin GAA.
Cavan supporters are keeping their fingers crossed that the new management duo of Val Andrews and Terry Hyland will bring about an improvement in the senior footballers' performances after a disappointing season which saw them lose to Fermanagh and Cork in the championship.
The pair, who succeed Tommy Carr, have been handed a three-year term with a review after the second. Andrews, who was in charge of the Dublin minors this year, is returning for a second stint with the Breffnimen, having served as manager from 1998 to 2001. But despite guiding them to an Ulster final appearance in the latter year, he didn't get unanimous approval to continue from the clubs and decided to step down.
The Ballymun Kickhams clubman subsequently managed Louth for two years and also had a spell in charge of the Leinster inter-provincial team.
Lacken clubman Hyland, who led the Cavan under 21 and junior sides to provincial final appearances this year, served as a selector with Andrews during his previous time involved with the county.
"The two lads have worked together in the past and hopefully they will get Cavan back up to the level they were at when they were last involved with the team. It would be a huge thing for Cavan to get back into an Ulster final. But there is a lot of work to be done if that's to be achieved and hopefully the players will respond to the new management and restore Cavan football to its former glory," Peter concludes. Tweet
