Limerick opto-electronics company to create 53 jobs

A further 53 jobs will be created at a Japanese opto-electronics company in Limerick in an expansion announced by the Tanaiste…

A further 53 jobs will be created at a Japanese opto-electronics company in Limerick in an expansion announced by the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, in Tokyo yesterday.

The investment by Sumicem Opto-Electronics (Ireland) Ltd, which manufactures fibre optic devices, includes setting up a research and development facility.

The investment deal was agreed yesterday between the company and the IDA.

Fibre optic devices are the key components used by telecom equipment manufacturers and systems suppliers' worldwide. Leading customers of Sumicem Opto-Electronics include Nokia, Ericsson and Alcatel. The parent company, Sumitomo Osaka Cement employs more than 2,000 people worldwide.

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The new research facility will aim to meet the growth in bandwidth demand. Telecom providers have had rapidly to upgrade their infrastructure to meet the huge increases in traffic. This in turn has created a demand for fibre optic devices that operate at wider bandwidths.

The company has been based at Plassey in Limerick since 1988 and the expansion will involve moving the plant from its current 10,000 sq ft unit to an 18,000 sq ft building in the National Technological Park at Plassey.