Kingspan to expand into eastern Europe

The plan follows the accession of 10 new members, including Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic, to the EU. Kingspan chief operating officer Gene Murtagh said the group hopes to double its revenues to E100m from the region by the end of 2005, the Sunday Times reports. Kingspan is building a panel factory near Budapest at a cost of between E10m and E12m, which will serve Hungary, Romania and the Baltic States. At present, Kingspan's most significant operation in the region is in the Czech Republic, where it manufactures panels for the construction industry. Also targeting eastern expansion in recruitment firm Grafton, which plans to open between 10 and 12 new offices in the area by the end of next year. Niall Keyes, Grafton's central European managing director, said the expansion reflected expectations of strong job creation in the region.