Ashbourne firm trebles workforce as sales surge
Recycling machine manufacturer Bridgeman Ecosystems exceed €3.3 million sales per annum
Irish engineering company Bridgeman Ecosystems confirmed it expects to more than treble its workforce by the end of 2023 with sales revenues to reach over €3.3 million per annum.
Bridgeman Ecosystems designs and manufactures bespoke machines for the recycling industry that remove contaminants from compostable waste.
They will also help waste processors meet stricter environmental regulations.
Founder Pearse McGrath identified a niche in the aggregate and recycling market and the company currently manufactures two product lines, mainly for the US market.
It’s latest shipment to the US is two machines, valued at over a quarter of a million Euro, that are en route to Columbas, Ohio.
“We provide a machine that removes plastic film from the compostable waste product by blowing air through it as it falls through the machine. The end result is a much higher quality compost,” Mr McGrath explained.
The machines are targeted at the compost industry where light products like plastic film and bottles are contaminants. Despite their size, all are fully mobile, rotate 360 degrees and operated by remote control.
The company’s three-year Strategic Plan includes new distribution channels that include expansion into the UK and EU markets, including Germany.
New products that will help processors meet the stricter environmental regulations and enforcement that are impacting the global recycling industry, are already at the design stage.
“A range of EU directives have been introduced and specific targets established for example 220 million tonnes of municipal waste was generated in 2018 at least 55% of this has to be recycled by 2025,” Mr McGrath said.
“Our machines will help waste processors reduce the quantity of waste that goes to landfill and help them meet these requirements,” he added.
Based in Ashbourne, County Meath, the company expects to triple its workforce to twenty by the end of 2023.
Hugh Fagan CEO of Ecoverse, Ohio, said, “I have known and worked with Pearse over the last 20 years. He has developed an outstanding team in Bridgeman and they deliver excellent products with an impressive attention to detail and performance.”
By the end of 2023 Bridgeman Ecosystems expects to add four-five new products; new machines in development will target the recycling and composting sector and include three types of trommels and a lighter version of the Airdensity separator.
As part of the company’s growth plans, Mr Aidan Gordon has joined as a director and chairman of the board.
Mr McGrath said, “Aidan brings a wealth of corporate experience to the business and will work closely with the team to deliver on all the strategic objectives in our three-year plan.”
“This is an exciting time for our business as we develop new product lines to cater for the rapidly expanding global waste recycling marketplace.”
“We see great opportunities in the years ahead to support a cleaner more environmentally friendly world.”
The company has been strongly supported by Local Enterprise Office Meath.
Head of Enterprise, Meath Economic and Enterprise Team, Joe English said, “I have supported Pearse from day one because he had a plan and with our support has been able to develop this business year on year.”
Mr McGrath said, “The mentoring and financial assistance from the Local Enterprise Office Meath allowed us to get a toe-hold in the market. It would have been impossible without them. They helped us to make it happen.”
“From the start the Meath Local Enterprise Office has been a wonderful support to us. It was always a very positive experience with them,” he added.