A US-based manufacturing company will invest £4.4 million (€5.59 million) in a new factory in Portlaoise. EBM Industries, which makes external rotor fans and cooling systems, said the plant should create 145 jobs over the next five years.

The Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms Harney, said yesterday recruitment would start immediately for semi-skilled metal fabrication and assembly workers, engineers, account managers, customer support and administrative staff. IDA Ireland will build the 40,000 sq ft factory. The facility, once completed, will construct cooling systems for electronics and telecommunications companies in Europe, including Nortel, IBM and Hewlett-Packard.

"This investment is good news for Portlaoise and the surrounding area," Ms Harney said. "It will be a major boost to the local economy."