Kildare manufacturer celebrates 50 years in business
Schlötter Ireland 50th Anniversary Back Row - Kenneth Kelleher (Schlötter Ireland), Monica Harding (IDA Ireland), Michael Zöllinger (CEO, Schlötter Germany), Jennifer Habenicht ((Schlötter Ireland), David Geldbach (Schlötter Germany), Don Chaplin (Schlötter Ireland) Front Row - Ray O'Connor (IDA Ireland), Damian Carey (CEO, Schlötter Ireland), Dr Stefanie Geldbach (CEO, Schlötter Germany), Donal Travers (Executive Director, IDA Ireland) PHOTOS - AISHLING CONWAY NO REPRO FEE
NAAS manufacturer, Schlötter Ireland DAC, is celebrating a milestone anniversary, marking 50 years of operations in Ireland.
The company was established in 1976 and originally located on the Athgarvan Road, Newbridge before moving to its current purpose-built 45,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Momentum Logistics Park, Naas.
The company has grown from a team of six employees in 1984 to 54 highly skilled professionals today, spanning chemical production, engineering, laboratory testing and R&D, logistics, and supply chain functions.
Over the past five decades, the company has evolved significantly in response to changing markets. Initially supporting the general metal finishing and printed circuit board (PCB), Schlötter Ireland successfully adapted its business model as these sectors relocated to their production facilities to other regions, mainly Asia.
From the late 1990s onwards, the company strategically repositioned itself, developing a strong niche in speciality chemical manufacturing. Today, Schlötter Ireland provides chemical contract manufacturing services to multinational companies and produces custom chemical blends for the medical device, semiconductor, and microelectronics sectors.
Schlötter Ireland has built a reputation as a trusted partner within the chemical manufacturing industry, underpinned by strong quality systems, scientific expertise, and a culture of continuous improvement. The company’s achievements were recognised in 2025 when it received the Invest in Ireland ‘Best Organisational Transformation Award’.
Speaking on the milestone, CEO Damian Carey, at Schlötter Ireland DAC, said: “Reaching 50 years in Ireland is a significant milestone for our business. It reflects our resilience in times of change, our ability to continually adapt and strengthen our business model, and the dedication and expertise of our people, who have been central to our success. We are proud of the strong partnerships we have built and remain focused on delivering innovative and high-quality solutions for our customers into the future.”
Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland, said: “Congratulations to Schlötter Ireland DAC on 50 years of operations in Ireland. This milestone is a testament to the company’s long-standing commitment to excellence, its ability to evolve with changing market demands, and the strength of its team in Kildare. Supporting regional development is central to IDA Ireland’s mission, and Schlötter’s continued growth in Kildare highlights the value of sustained investment in locations across the country. We are proud of our long-standing relationship with Schlötter and look forward to supporting the company as it continues to innovate and expand in the years ahead.”
