MDS, a global leader in specialist screening equipment, marked its 30th anniversary this year, celebrating three decades of innovation and growth. From humble beginnings in a repurposed farm shed in rural Ireland, the company evolved into an internationally recognised manufacturer of heavy-duty rock and environmental trommels, valued for their durability and reliability in the most demanding conditions.
Founded in 1995 by Liam Murray and his wife Una, MDS began as a small workshop producing Christmas tree stands and custom projects for local customers. With limited resources, the company diversified early on, manufacturing turnstiles for local GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) clubs, robotic systems, and agricultural machinery. Its reputation for practical design and engineering ingenuity steadily grew, paving the way for a major transformation.
That transformation came in 2014 with the development of the first MDS rock trommel, marking the company’s move away from subcontracting and agricultural equipment into specialised screening solutions. The launch of the M515 mobile rock trommel represented years of accumulated expertise and collaboration. It was followed by the M412 and M413 compact trommels, which carried forward the same robust design ethos, tailored for smaller-scale applications.
“MDS was no longer just a fabrication shop. We had a product with a market that believed in it,” said Liam Og Murray, Regional Sales Manager and son of founder Liam Murray. Having grown up around the workshop, Liam Og inherited the company’s values of innovation and integrity. “The shift to rock trommels led to substantial growth for MDS between 2015 and 2020 and ultimately laid the groundwork for our relationship with Terex,” he added.
Since being acquired by Terex in 2021, MDS has expanded its global distribution network, particularly across Europe, while maintaining a strong focus on product development. The flagship M515 was relaunched with improved transportability, better service access, and increased stockpile capacity. In 2024, the M518R was reintroduced after a comprehensive redesign to meet the needs of small to medium-sized operations processing compost, biomass, and municipal waste.
The company also invested heavily in production improvements, opening a new state-of-the-art paintshop equipped with advanced filtration technology to ensure cleaner air and a higher-quality finish. These upgrades enhanced both operator safety and product quality.
With continued growth in sight, MDS appointed Steven Keenan as its new General Manager. Having served as Engineering Manager for three years, Keenan brought a deep understanding of the company’s operations and culture, along with prior experience at Terex Omagh and Poclain Hydraulics.
“I want to congratulate the entire MDS team on reaching this fantastic milestone,” said Steven. “As we enter our next chapter, my focus will be on strengthening our global distribution network so that our renowned models can deliver even greater impact across international markets. I’m excited to lead the team into this next phase of growth. With a deep engineering background and a genuine passion for innovation, I’m committed to driving forward our technology and expanding our product offering to meet the evolving needs of our customers.”
MDS marks 30 years of innovation in screening technology
