What Tricel does

Tricel is a family-owned Irish engineering and composites manufacturer founded in 1973 by Con and Anne Stack in Killarney, Co. Kerry. The group operates four divisions — Water (GRP sectional and one-piece water storage tanks, fire protection tanks, and pumping solutions in partnership with Grundfos), Environmental (wastewater treatment plants including Tricel Novo, Vento, Maxus Combi, and Tero; stormwater attenuation; septic tanks), Construction (electric and gas meter boxes, IP-rated kiosks, road safety products), and Composite Materials & Lubricants Distribution (fibreglass kits, technical fabrics, TriRoof roofing, Finol/Gem lubricants). Core technology centers on glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) manufacturing, including a state-of-the-art Sheet Moulding Compound (SMC) facility at Killarney headquarters built alongside an R&D centre in 2000.

The group comprises 15 companies with 6-7 manufacturing facilities across Ireland, the UK, France, Denmark, and Germany, employing 600+ people (up from 350 in 2017) and serving over 50 countries. Notable project credentials include 810,000-litre custom water tanks supplied to Qatar FIFA 2022 World Cup venues and eleven sectional water storage tanks installed at Cork's Pairc Ui Chaoimh stadium. Revenue is generated through B2B hardware sales via direct enterprise engagement for large projects, an exclusive network of European distributors, and the meterboxesdirect.co.uk e-commerce storefront. The company has no external funding, no parent entity, and continues to be led by the Stack family, with Mike Stack as Group CEO. Recent growth has been driven by selective acquisitions — BioKube (Denmark, 2022), AJ Environnement (France, 2022), MID GlassFibre (Ireland, 2022), and Gem Oils (Ireland, 2023) — alongside the doubling of French operations through the Sorgues/Avignon facility opened in 2019.

Name

Tricel

Legal name

Tricel (Killarney) Unlimited Company

Website

https://tricel.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Tricel is a family-owned Irish engineering group manufacturing GRP-based water storage tanks, wastewater treatment systems, construction products, and composite materials across 15 companies and 6-7 European manufacturing facilities, serving over 50 countries with 600+ employees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water & Environmental Equipment Manufacturing

NAICS

Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing (326)

SIC

Miscellaneous Plastics Products (3080)

akta.pro primary industry

Water & Sewer Pipe & Fittings (PVC/HDPE/PP) (IMANADAA)

Keywords

• GRP water storage tanks
• Wastewater treatment systems
• Composite material manufacturing
• Construction meter boxes
• Industrial lubricants distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Killarney

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Water Storage Products: Manufacturing and distribution of GRP sectional and one-piece water storage tanks, pumping solutions for industrial, domestic, and agricultural applications. Revenue from direct product sales to contractors, utilities, and construction companies.
2. Wastewater Treatment Systems: Production and sale of packaged wastewater treatment plants, septic tanks, and tertiary treatment systems. Includes commercial sewage treatment plants up to 500 Population Equivalent.
3. Construction Products: Meter boxes (electric and gas), kiosks, road safety products including trench covers, kerb ramps, fence and line pins. Distribution through direct sales and online storefronts.
4. Composite Materials Distribution: Distribution of fibreglass supplies, roofing materials, advanced technical fabrics, sealants, and adhesives to marine, automotive, and construction industries. Also includes lubricants distribution.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Tricel manufactures and distributes Glass-Reinforced Plastic (GRP) based engineering solutions across four divisions: Water (sectional and one-piece GRP water storage tanks, fire protection misting/sprinkler tanks, and pumping solutions), Environmental (wastewater treatment plants, septic tanks, commercial sewage treatment, tertiary treatment, and stormwater attenuation systems), Construction (electric and gas meter boxes, kiosks, and road safety products), and Materials Distribution (fibreglass kits, composite materials, roofing systems, and lubricants). Products are sold to contractors, utilities, self-builders, and industrial customers primarily across Europe with exports to over 50 countries.

Product overview

Tricel is a family-led multinational engineering company offering a diversified portfolio of high-performance solutions across four main divisions: Water (GRP water storage tanks and pumping solutions), Environmental (wastewater treatment plants, septic tanks, and stormwater management), Construction (meter boxes, kiosks, and road safety products), and Distribution (fibreglass materials, roofing systems, and lubricants). The product portfolio includes core branded products like Tricel Novo, Vento, Maxus Combi, and Tero for wastewater treatment, alongside GRP sectional and one-piece water tanks, HVAC pumps from partner Grundfos, and construction products. The company also distributes composite materials through its Tricel Composites division and acquired brands like BioKube (wastewater) and Finol Oils (lubricants). Products serve residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal applications across over 50 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tricel Novo Wastewater treatment plants for domestic and semi-collective applications, providing secondary treatment for properties not connected to mains drainage.
• Tricel Vento Septic tank systems for on-site wastewater treatment in residential properties.
• Tricel Maxus Combi Commercial sewage treatment plants designed for larger capacity requirements, handling higher population equivalent installations up to 500 PE.
• Tricel Tero Tertiary treatment systems providing advanced polishing treatment for wastewater before discharge.
• Tricel Crates & Tunnels Stormwater attenuation and management solutions including crates and tunnels for efficient collection, storage, and infiltration of stormwater runoff.
• GRP Sectional Water Tanks Sectional/panel water storage tanks made from glass-reinforced plastic for potable and non-potable water storage applications.
• GRP One Piece Water Tanks One-piece monolithic water storage tanks manufactured from glass-reinforced plastic for water storage needs.
• GRP Misting Fire Protection Tanks Fire protection misting tanks for sprinkler systems in fire suppression applications.
• GRP Sprinkler Fire Protection Tanks Dedicated sprinkler tanks for fire suppression water storage in commercial and industrial facilities.
• HVAC Pumps Complete pumping solutions including Magna3 Commercial pumps for industrial, domestic, and agricultural applications, supplied and maintained in partnership with Grundfos.
• Electric Meter Boxes Recessed and surface mounted electric meter boxes for residential, commercial, and industrial electrical installations.
• Gas Meter Boxes Gas meter enclosures available in recessed, surface, and semi-buried configurations.
• Kiosks IP43 and IP55 rated industrial enclosures and kiosks, pole mounted options for utility applications.
• Road Safety Products Trench covers, kerb ramps, fence and line pins, and rumble strips designed for road safety and regulatory compliance.
• Fibreglass Kits Multipurpose fibreglass material packs for marine, automotive, and general composite applications.
• TriRoof Premium Fireglass/GRP roofing materials for flat roofing industry in Ireland and UK, including liquid roofing systems and ancillaries.
• Composites Distribution Distribution of composite materials including resins, reinforcements, and technical supplies for RTM, hand layup, and spraying processes.
• Finol Oils Lubricants Premium OEM-approved lubricants, coolants, and greases distributed in the Irish market since 1977.
• BioKube Packaged wastewater treatment systems manufactured in Denmark, specializing in Nordic region markets with growing international presence.

Quantifiable outcome

• Carbon footprint reduced by 357,800 kg CO2 per year through solar and heat pump installation

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Kerry County CouncilminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 October 2023Helen Barry from Kerry County Council accompanied US Senator Brian Kavanagh during his visit to Tricel headquarters, fostering international relationships and economic opportunities.
• Gem Oils LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 July 2023Family-run lubricant business acquired by Tricel in July 2023. Founded in 1962, based in County Cavan. Operates largest storage capacity for lubricating oils in Ireland. Provides lubricants to automotive, agricultural, industrial, food, marine, and commercial sectors.
• MID GlassFibre Supplies LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2022Irish company acquired by Tricel Composites in June 2022. Founded by Liam and Jacqueline Phelan, strategically located in Dublin to complement Tricel's composite distribution position on the Island of Ireland. Strengthens presence in marine and roofing industries.
• BioKube A/ScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2022Danish company acquired by Tricel on 6 May 2022. Leading manufacturer of packaged wastewater treatment systems in Nordic regions with growing international presence. Peter Sloth continues as Managing Director, Henrik Bebe as CTO, with founder Peter Tårnhøj supporting transition. Expansion into new product and geographic markets.
• AJ EnvironnementcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 March 2022French wastewater treatment company acquired by Tricel in March 2022. Jérôme Audouin continues partnership with Tricel for international wastewater treatment activities using micro-stations and compact filters. Strengthens Tricel's presence in French market.
• EnerpowercoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 September 2021Installation partner for Ireland's largest combined Heat Pump and Solar PV system at Tricel's Killarney facility. Enerpower demonstrated clear understanding of requirements with commitment and reliability in service delivery.
• Enterprise IrelandcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIrish government export agency supporting international expansion. Anne Lanigan and Patrick Torrekens from Enterprise Ireland attended Tricel Avignon expansion events. Owen Feey from Irish embassy present during French trade missions. Enterprise Ireland refers to Tricel as a role model for other Irish companies approaching international markets.
• GrundfosminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeading water pump brand that Tricel partners with to provide complete pumping solutions including supply, installation, servicing, and maintenance for industrial, domestic, and agricultural applications.
• Depa Water LtdminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExhibited together with Depa Water Ltd at SelfBuild Belfast event (February 2017) at stand C38. Depa Water represents Tricel wastewater treatment products in Northern Ireland.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Marsh Industries: UK-based manufacturer of packaged wastewater treatment plants, septic tanks, and pump stations. Directly competes with Tricel Novo, Vento, and Maxus Combi in the UK and Irish on-site wastewater market.
• Klargester: Brand of Kingspan offering domestic and commercial wastewater treatment and rainwater harvesting systems. Directly comparable product range to Tricel's wastewater division in the UK and Ireland.
• Kingspan Water & Energy: Division of Kingspan Group offering water storage tanks and environmental solutions across Europe. Directly comparable to Tricel's GRP water tank and wastewater treatment portfolio, serving similar utilities, commercial, and residential customers.
• WPL (Water Processing Ltd): UK manufacturer of packaged wastewater treatment plants for residential, commercial, and municipal applications. Directly competes with Tricel's commercial sewage treatment (Maxus Combi) and BioKube product lines.
• Graf Group: German manufacturer of rainwater harvesting, wastewater treatment, and stormwater attenuation products. Closely comparable to Tricel's water storage and stormwater attenuation (Crates & Tunnels) offerings across European markets.
• Roth Industries: European manufacturer of plastic water storage tanks, fuel storage, and wastewater treatment systems. Comparable in GRP/plastic tank manufacturing and overlapping wastewater offerings with Tricel's core business.

Broad incumbents

• ACO Group: Global manufacturer of drainage, water management, and surface water solutions. Larger incumbent with broader portfolio than Tricel but overlapping in water management and stormwater attenuation categories.
• Premier Tech Water & Environment: Canadian-based global provider of water and wastewater treatment solutions, including residential and commercial systems. Broader geographic footprint but overlapping product portfolio with Tricel's wastewater division.
• Saint-Gobain PAM: Global building materials group with water infrastructure and environmental solutions divisions. Larger incumbent serving overlapping utility and municipal customers, though with a wider portfolio than Tricel.

Regional players

• Polypipe: UK-listed manufacturer of plastic piping and water management solutions. Adjacent to Tricel in plastic-based water infrastructure but focuses on pipe systems rather than tank-based water storage.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Tricel
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tricel
• Xx.com/tricel_eu

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tricel