Tuam, Co. Galway, Valeo, one of the world’s leading automotive suppliers has announced that it is embarking on a major expansion and RD&I programme at its Valeo Vision Systems (VVS) operation in Tuam, with an investment of €17m and the creation up to 100 new high-skilled positions over the next 3 years.  The investment which focuses on RD&I and high value manufacturing, is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland. 

Valeo is undertaking this major R&D initiative at the operation to target a growing share of the camera market with the development of the next generation of new camera/vision systems and supporting technologies for vehicle parking and manoeuvring.

This investment programme follows on from the successful launch by VVS Tuam of its first generation multi-camera systems on the market in 2008. It is now proposing to significantly expand its manufacturing operations to meet growing automotive customer demand and to develop the next generation vision systems for the global market.

Valeo Vision Systems has built up a strong RD&I competency at the plant and has developed close links with NUIG with the establishment of the Connacht Automotive Research (CAR) Group in 2004.

The additional jobs will be recruited across its manufacturing and RD&I operations. The investment will involve expansion of the plant (including the lease of existing units on the Tuam Business park), investment in advanced technology, training and RD&I.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Mary Hanafin TD paid tribute to the strong performance track record of Valeo’s workforce in Tuam and described the new jobs as a major boost for high-end manufacturing in Ireland.

 ‘The Government is anxious to support research and development projects that can create high-tech manufacturing jobs. Firms that invest in innovation to produce new products and services are the same ones that grow market share, generate jobs and pursue sustainable business models. This investment embeds Valeo’s operation in the group’s global business while at the same time creating top-level career opportunities for Galway,’ said Minister Hanafin. 

Commenting on the VVS expansion, Fergus Moyles Director, Valeo Vision Systems said, ‘I am delighted to announce that recruitment is currently underway for the 100 positions announced today.  The expansion in Tuam is very significant within the Valeo group as it will play a leading role in ensuring that Valeo maintains its technological leadership position in vision systems, generating innovative new products which exceed our clients’ expectations.’
                                                                                                                     
Welcoming the announcement, Barry O’Leary, CEO of IDA Ireland said: ‘This is a very exciting development for Valeo Vision Systems in Tuam.  The decision demonstrates the parent company’s high regard for its Tuam operation, which, I am sure, is in no small part due to the company’s successful track record here. I wish to offer my congratulations to Fergus and his team in Tuam and would like to assure him that he has the full support of IDA Ireland behind him as he embarks on this ambitious new initiative in Tuam.  It is a great success story for high-value manufacturing in Ireland, which is at the centre of innovation and development for such a highly-respected global automotive company.’                 

About Valeo
Valeo Valeo is an independent industrial Group fully focused on the design, production and sale of components, integrated systems and modules for the automotive industry, mainly for CO2 emissions reduction. Valeo ranks among the world’s top automotive suppliers. The Group has 110 plants, 21 Research centers, 40 Development centers, 10 distribution platforms and employs 53,700 people in 27 countries worldwide.

About Valeo in Ireland
Valeo Visions Systems based in Tuam consists of an R&D centre and production site which forms part of the Comfort and Driving Assistance Business Group of Valeo. Originally established in 1982 as Connaught Electronics Ltd. (CEL) as a manufacturer of automotive security products, it diversified into camera systems and was acquired in 2007 by Valeo. CEL was a strategic acquisition for Valeo as it complemented Valeo’s existing detection technologies for vehicle parking and manoeuvring.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Education, Mary Coughlan TD, last month announced that Zeus, the US headquartered medical device company, is investing €10m in a 40,000sq ft expansion and creating 75 new manufacturing jobs over three years.

The expansion of its facility at the IDA Business and Technology Park, Letterkenny, Co Donegal is supported by IDA Ireland.

Zeus Industrial Products (Zeus), headquartered in Orangeburg, South Carolina, is a leading developer and manufacturer of precision polymer extrusions, including specialist fluropolymer tubing solutions, for a range of industries. Established in 1966, the company is privately held by the original founder Frank P Tourville and employs 1,200 people worldwide.

“The decision by Zeus to expand its operation in Letterkenny is testament to the availability of a highly-skilled workforce in the north west region, the performance of its existing staff and the ease of doing business in Ireland,” stated Coughlan at the announcement. “On behalf of the Government, I look forward to providing continued support to Zeus as its Irish operation grows and develops.”

Séamus Hughes, general manager of Zeus in Ireland, said: “Since establishing our operation in 2005, our experience of doing business in Ireland has been a positive one. Due to the growth in our customer base in Europe, we are expanding our operation in Letterkenny to meet the demand for our medical and industrial speciality tubing product. We are very excited about our expansion plans and I look forward to finding the right calibre of staff to ensure our continued success here.

“In addition, I would like to thank the executive management team of Zeus Inc for their continued support of the Irish operation and their confidence in the Irish employees. On behalf of the Irish employees, I am very proud to be part of a very progressive organisation.

“Finally, I would like to express our appreciation for the work and contribution made by IDA Ireland during this process and supported by the Irish Government.”

IDA Ireland CEO, Barry O’Leary also welcomed the announcement. “Zeus is an important manufacturer in the medical device industry in Ireland and offers a key sub supply role in a very specialised area,” he said.

 “This expansion was won for Ireland in the face of stiff international competition from other global locations, proving that Ireland has an increasingly competitive and pro-business environment to offer investors with a strong manufacturing focus.”

Thursday, 16th December 2010, Galway – Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Batt O’Keeffe TD today announced that Goodman Medical Ireland Ltd. is to create up to 115 new jobs over 5 years and invest €1.1m at its facility in Mervue Business Park, Galway.  Recruitment is already underway.  This investment is supported by IDA Ireland.

Goodman Co., Ltd., founded in 1975 and headquartered in Nagoya, Japan manufactures and sells medical instruments and equipment worldwide.  Goodman Medical Ireland Ltd. (GMIL) was established in 2004 and currently employs 56 people in the manufacture of cardiology products such as PTCA catheters and bare metal stents.

The expansion will transform GMIL’s business by adding to its manufacturing and R&D operations and becoming Goodman’s sales and marketing centre for EMEA by generating market data, developing territory sales strategies and managing distributors and sales related activities.  The company will also commercialise the ‘Vival’ stent developed onsite in Galway.

Minister O’Keeffe said the investment “strengthens Ireland’s well-established medical devices cluster, with many leading firms based along the western seaboard. The Galway operation will be a platform for Goodman Medical Ireland to develop its business in the EMEA region, driving better manufacturing and product innovation output through the skills of a flexible and highly educated local workforce”.

“The jobs bolster Ireland’s high-end manufacturing backbone and consolidate our reputation as a leading location in Europe for foreign direct investments,” said Minister O’Keeffe.

President Takehito Yogo of Goodman Co., Ltd. said “We are excited to announce our expansion plans to meet anticipated long-term demand for our products worldwide.  We chose the Galway operation for our future growth and development due to our dedicated and proactive workforce, the support of IDA Ireland, our strong supplier network and the positive experiences we have had of doing business in Ireland since 2004.”

IDA Ireland CEO, Barry O’Leary said “Goodman Co. Ltd’s decision to locate this operation in Ireland demonstrates our attractiveness for companies investing and expanding in the Life Sciences Sector. Ireland’s reputation as a hub for Life Sciences continues to grow with 8 of the top 10 pharmaceutical and 15 of the top 20 medical devices companies worldwide with operations here.” 

“IDA’s strategy, Horizon 2020, sets out to achieve balanced regional development, and today’s announcement for Galway builds on the strong medical device cluster in the West of Ireland” concluded Mr. O’Leary.

Notes to Editor
Goodman Co. Ltd., founded in 1975 and headquartered in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan, is primarily engaged in the import, development, manufacture and sale of medical instruments and equipment. The company operates two business divisions. The Disposable Medical Instrument division develops, manufactures and sells catheters and stents for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. The Medical Equipment and Others division is involved in the import and sale of medical testing equipment for circulatory organs and network system software for digital imaging equipment.

First we had manufacturing with many large multinationals leaving the shores for cheaper costs around the globe. Then we had the bottom fall from the building sector with thousands of job losses. Throw in financial services, insurance, retail and things are getting bad. But now even the motor industry is taking a hit. I guess it is no surprise that the luxury car sector would be hit in the current climate but it is bad news all the same. Maxwell motors has announced 30 plus job redundancies with the decision not to renew the BWM franchise for Ireland and Orwell Motors has gone out of business.

If we look at the bigger picture of the jobs market in Ireland – July saw unemployment rise to its highest level in a decade. The claimant count has increased by 63,600 in the last 12 months which is incredible. Unemployment is now at 5.9% which is an increase from 5.6% in June.

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Rosderra Jobs

Great news for the midlands with the news that Rosderra will create 120 new jobs in Edenderry. Rosderra was recently bought from Glanbia as part of a management buyout. The new jobs will be part of a EUR10m investment with the company forecasting a turnover of over EUR200m in the first year.

On a bigger not the EUR10m investment will help secure a further 250 jobs that were at risk due to a fire at the Glanbia plant in Edenderry.

This news is against a run of bad jobs news in Ireland over the last few weeks.

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It looks like I spoke too soon yesterday with my previous post. I guess I tempted fate.

Dell Ireland announced that it will be cutting 250 jobs for its 4500 workforce in Ireland. Operations in Cherrywood in Dublin will be hardest hit as most jobs to go are in support functions – Marketing, IT and Administration. Dell insists that no Manufacturing jobs will be lost but there are expected to be some job losses in Limerick Operations.

Dell has been established in Ireland for a good few years and is deemed a high profile employer in Ireland which magnifies this news. The company cited slow computer sales as the driver for global cost cutting when it announced the bad news to staff on Tuesday.

I find it interesting that manufacturing has not been affected as most job loss in Ireland seems to be manufacturing. I remember a number of years back there were strong rumours of Dell relocating operations to Mexico (I think!!)

Waterford Wedgewood is awaiting response from the government following a plea for 39m euro in loand to help save the company and 550 jobs in Waterford. Read more about this story.

Negative Irish Jobs News at Kimball Electronics

There was negative jobs news for Longford today as Kimball Electronics announced that it would be closing its plant in Longford with the loss of 66 jobs. Kimball Electronics has been operating in Longford since 2006 and it is a sub-contract electronic manufacturer. It has been reported that the company had been making a loss in recent months and that they had tried to sell the facility but failed. These jobs will be lost to Poland which is where the facility will transfer. Is this further evidence of our lack of competitive or just the inevitable?

Positive Irish Jobs News at Cameron Ireland

There was also positive Irish jobs news in Longford with Cameron Ireland announcing the creation of 140 new jobs in the region. Cameron Ireland currently employs 220 staff in Longford so these jobs will see a substantial increase in headcount. Cameron Ireland develops technology for oil and gas flow regulation. Cameron’s products include sub-sea chokes and actuators which are designed and manufactured in Longford.

Jobsnews keeps you up-to-date on all the Irish Jobs News. You will find the latest jobs news in Ireland – positive and negative. We also provide other related stories about the Irish market.

Is it all bad news for the Irish Jobs market?

We have been reading about the jobs loss at many of the larger employers in Ireland as this makes great headlines and sells newspapers. What about the SME’s in Ireland? How have they been affected?

Well the developments are similar and SME’s in Ireland are suffering as a result of global pressures. They have been affected directly by redundancies and temporary lay-offs. It is estimated that 20% of SME’s made staff redundant in 2007. 14% of SME’s expect to let staff go in 2008 and 12% expect to introduce short term lay-offs. These figures indicate that SME sector mirrors the economy in general.

Commentators blame rising costs for these development. Costs such as electricity, waste and water but I think this is a simplistic view. Ok increased costs affects competitiveness but there are other glaring factors like the global recession, exchange rates and more.

Will new start-ups create new Irish Jobs?

This negative news does not seem to be deterring new entrepreneurs in Ireland. Reports suggest that there are as many start-ups in Ireland. Good luck to them.

Central Statistics Figures on Irish Jobs.

Service Sector has lost 2320 jobs in 2008 to date.
Building and Civil Sector has lost 2022 jobs in 2008 to date.
Manufacturing Sector has lost 2019 jobs in 2008 to date.

Last month 12,000 people were added to the live register.

Ryanair announced that it will be cutting 40 jobs in Dublin in May. 40 telesales jobs will go at their Dublin call centre. Is this a result of rising oil prices or is it because everyone is booking online?

Thermo King has announced the creation of 19 new jobs in Galway. Thermo King currently employs 600 staff in the region and design and manufacture transportation refrigeration.

Dell has announced the closure of a plant in Austin with the loss of 900 jobs. Ok this is not Irish news but this is part of a 10% cut in global workforce for Dell. They employ about 4,000 staff in Ireland in Dublin & Limerick.

There are fears for 80 jobs in Shannon with Unbrako Europe SPS International following the sale to a US firm. This is worrying news as the company has been in Shannon since 1960.

Jobsnews keeping you posted on all the new job announcements, job loss and other related stories in Ireland. We hop you enjoy the site and please recommend it to your friends.

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This site posts about jobs news in Ireland. We have a number of sponsors who support the jobs market in Ireland with a variety of HR, Recruitment, Job Advertising services.

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We post about job news in Ireland on this site and some of this news is negative – redundancy & job loss. We have a number of sponsors that support the job market in Ireland and one of these areas in Outplacement & Redundancy.

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What do you believe when you read the papers. One report says that the Celtic Tiger has lost its roar and it is now only a whimper BUT the next page tells you that jobs prospects in Ireland are on the up. I am in a positive mood today so I want to believe the positive news.

It was announced that employers last month were prepared to employ more staff in the vital services sector. This said construction intended cutting more jobs as well as manufacturing (did I just say that – so much for positive).

There are big things expected from services sector and retail will maintain steady growth according to a FAS survey.

I guess this is a bit of the same from FAS. They really are not telling us anything new. The dog in the street knows the situation with construction and manufacturing. After recent stock market turmoil I would certainly not be so sure about the services sector – particularly financial.

Two job announcements today will result in the creation of 120 new jobs in Ireland. 20 of these jobs will be created in Cork and 100 will be created in Dublin

Cork Jobs – DePuy

Depuy announce that it will establish an innovation centre at its existing manufacturing plant in Ringaskiddy in Cork. This will create 20 new positions to an existing workforce of 600 staff. The jobs will be for bioengineering, materials and quality backgrounds. DePuy develop and manufacture orthopedic products.

Dublin Jobs – Chase Paymentech Solutions

Chase Paymentech Solutions announced that it will create 100 jobs in Dublin over the next 3 years. Bertie Ahern took a break from the tribunals to open the facility in Eastpoint Business Park.

Well that’s the jobs news for today. We will keep you posted and up-to-date on any new develops – good or bad.

KINGSPAN has announced 40 new jobs for Newry as part of a 6m euro investment. by the groups Environmental & Renewables division. This will bring the number employed by the company in Newry to 75 staff.

All the jobs created are manufacturing and these will be 40 full-time posts with the company.

This means that there has been a total of 41 jobs created with the news that Ian Paisley has stepped down as head of the DUP.

If you are interested in the company and thes jobs then check out the website.