The firm employs 1,300 people overall, many of them at its Co Kildare base but also at a number of sites in key tech hubs in the US. The deal comes at a time of change in the semiconductor space, with Intel under pressure and the US government pushing hard to win big chip investments that can create jobs in America.
It was established originally as Westerwood Global in 1999 by Basil Holian, an Athenry, Co Galway native and the firm’s longstanding sponsorship of Galway camogie has continued.
The Maynooth-headquartered firm said the deal ‘represents an exciting next chapter for our company’. Stock image/Getty
Holian is currently the chairman of the company and, according to the latest available filings in the Companies Registration Office, owns 38.9pc of Iveagh New Opportunities, which in turn controls Westerwood Global.
WGNStar provides workers and equipment to semiconductor and high-tech companies. New York Stock Exchange-listed ABM is a global leader in integrated facility, infrastructure, and technical solutions.
In 2024, the company had sales of €18.9m, up from €15.5m in 2023. Profit before tax in 2024 was €9.4m, up from €2.6m a year previously.
The Maynooth-based firm in a statement described the deal as a strategic milestone that “represents an exciting next chapter for our company”.
The growth potential in WGNSTAR’s core services is anticipated to be significant
It “strengthens our ability to serve semiconductor and high-technology clients with expanded resources, greater scale, and long-term stability”, it said.
The growth potential in WGNSTAR’s core services is anticipated to be significant, with a multi-billion-dollar addressable market in which only a small share is currently outsourced, said ABM in a statement.
“I am incredibly proud of the business our team has built over the past 22 years since its founding in Ireland,” said Nigel Wenden, CEO of WGNStar.
“Joining forces with ABM will enable us to better serve our clients in this exciting technology market with integrated and innovative solutions. Both companies share a commitment to innovation, excellence and partnership, positioning us to meet the needs of our customers as the semiconductor industry continues to expand.”
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