A History of Craftsmanship and Innovation
MCP Group (formerly Mid Cork Pallets & Packaging) is a family owned and run business which has been in operation for over 47 years, serving both the North and South of Ireland from its two strategically located facilities in Clondrohid, Co. Cork and Dunboyne, Co. Meath. From humble beginnings and a source of big employment in both localities, MCP Group has grown to become Ireland’s leading manufacturer of pallets, distributor of packaging and supplier of warehousing solutions.
Our Journey
MCP Group was established in 1978 by local man Johnny Lehane from a single warehouse, having seen a gap in the market to repair used pallets. As manufacturing in Ireland grew exponentially, MCP became experts in the pallet repair industry, which allowed them to expand into pallet manufacturing. Initially, these new wooden pallets of various sizes, styles, etc, were manufactured by hand; however, in 1985, MCP Group was one of the first companies in Ireland to buy an automated pallet manufacturing machine and over a decade later they purchased their second automated pallet manufacturing machine.
In 1995, MCP Group diversified their operations, expanding steadily into the supply of customised packaging solutions for the food, drinks, e-commerce and medical packaging industries. In December 2011, a dark cloud shrouded the company where nearly ½ the facility was destroyed by an electrical fire at its Clondrohid site. However this didn’t destroy the heart of the Company and MCP were back up and manufacturing 1 day later and haven’t looked back since as they made multiple capital investments such as their Combined Heat & Power Plant in 2019, solar panels in 2022 and third pallet manufacturing machine in 2024.
Timeline & Key Milestones
Mid Cork Pallets was founded as a pallet repair business from a single warehouse in Clondrohid, Co. Cork.
Commence pallet manufacturing by hand.
Commissioned 1st pallet manufacturing machine in Clondrohid, Co. Cork.
Developed and opened their second facility in Dunboyne, Co. Meath (as a key hub to Dublin and the Northern Market).
Diversified into the supply of customised packaging solutions and became known as Mid Cork Pallets & Packaging.
The Company achieved its first ISO9001 certification for the manufacturing, heat treatment & repair of wooden pallets & boxes.
Due to increased demand, Mid Cork Pallets & Packaging commission their 2nd pallet manufacturing machine.
December 2011, a devastating fire eradicated over ½ of the facility.
In November 2015, Mid Cork Pallets & Packaging achieved its first BRC Certification for Agents and Brokers.
Cork Green Energy (a subsidiary of Mid Cork Pallets & Packaging) was established and production of green electricity begins at its Combined Heat and Power Plant (CHP). The CHP Plant generates 1.3 megawatts of green electricity per hour which is supplied directly to the national grid and can power the needs of up to 1,300 homes.
The Company expanded its operations and built a second packaging warehouse.
2000 Solar panels with a 598KWp solar generation capability installed at both sites in Cork and Meath on its unused rooftop space.
Due to increasing demand and business continuity, the Company commissioned their 3rd pallet manufacturing machine.
Mid Cork Pallets & Packaging rebrands as MCP Group.
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