EMC's €20m investment in R&D facility in Cork will add 50 new jobs

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT and storage company EMC has announced it will invest €20 million in research and development initiatives over a period of five years in its facility in Ovens, Co Cork, writes Eamon McGrane .

The US company will add 50 new engineering jobs as a result of this investment, bringing the total number of employees in the Cork operation to over 1,600.

The R&D investment and related jobs will initially focus on software development for EMC's storage systems and resource management products.

Speaking at the announcement, Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said it was a significant investment, a strong vote of confidence in the Irish economy and would enable the Ovens campus to compete effectively for a broader range of future technologies within EMC.

Jack Mollen, executive vice-president for human resources at EMC, said the Cork site was a "global powerhouse" for the company and contributed significantly to EMC's projected worldwide revenue of approximately $15 billion in 2008.

"This was our first European foothold and where we started our international business and this facility is one of our key hubs."

Mr Mollen also paid tribute to the support of the Irish Government and the quality of the education of the employees which was critical to the success of EMC. "That's why expanding in Ireland and taking advantage of the workforce and capability is paramount to the success of EMC's future in the global market."

Bob Savage, EMC's vice-president of Cork, Ireland operations claimed the new investment will help EMC continue to develop products that have significant local and global market demand.

"The decision to make this R&D investment in Cork is in no small part due to the positive business experience EMC has had in Ireland since the establishment of its manufacturing facility in 1988, coupled with the quality and commitment of our workforce and the support of IDA Ireland and the Irish Government.

EMC established its first manufacturing facility outside of north America in Ovens Co Cork in 1988 to access its global customers outside the US.

This year it celebrates its 20th anniversary in Ireland and it has grown from a 4,366sq m (47,000sq ft) facility with 22 employees in 1988 to a 60,387sq m (650,000sq ft) campus with over 1,600 employees.

In addition to manufacturing the facility also hosts other functions, such as international customer support, sales and a briefing centre for customers.

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times