Firms to create over 220 jobs in midwest

THE MIDWEST is to receive a much needed jobs boost with almost 200 new jobs set to be announced by Ennis-based firm, Microsemi, with two other firms revealing plans that will create 41 jobs in the region.

Microsemi is a US-owned multi-national which produces equipment for America's space exploration programme and the com-pany's general manager, Richard Finn, has stated that the company will be increasing its workforce by 185 to 400 over the next two years.

Though the jobs have not been officially announced yet, Mr Finn has told Clare County Council on the increase in posts during the course of a submission seeking additional facilities to serve the company's plant located at the Gort Road Business Park in Ennis.

In his submission, Mr Finn stated: "Microsemi Ireland is in the process of negotiating a Phase 2 expansion plan with Microsemi Corporation, California and the IDA in Dublin which includes the addition of 185 people ie will be going from 215 people to 400 people over the next two years."

Only last year, a 2005 decision to close Microsemi's Ennis operation was reversed and numbers have increased at the plant from 90 to 215 at the site in the past 12 months.

Worldwide, Microsemi Corporation employs 1,650 and has manufacturing facilities at four locations in the US along with facilities in Ireland and Shanghai and the corporation counts the US defence industry as its largest customer accounting for 33 per cent of sales.

The company's Irish facility, which was established in 1992, concentrates on the manufacture of hi-reliability discrete power semiconductors for the global avionics and aerospace markets. The company's European sales office and logistics hub are also located in Ennis and manage the European sales for all other Microsemi manufacturing plants that are located in the US and Asia.

The company's most recent returns to the Companies Office for the end of September 2007 show that Microsemi increased its turnover from $35.7 million to $40 million and increased its pre-tax profits from $479,000 to $598,000.

Following a €1.6 million investment in research and development, supported by Enterprise Ireland, Limerick-based Avvio will create 30 new jobs over the next two years. Avvio provides reservations software and online marketing to the hospitality industry and is targetting revenues in excess of €6 million by 2010.

Also in Clare Async Technologuies will create 11 new jobs following a €2.4 million investment from Enterprise Ireland and the AIB Seed Capital Fund.