BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS - 262 NEW JOBS FOR DUBLIN

Mary Harney, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment announced today (Friday 31st July, 1998) that Benchmark Electronics Inc, a Texas based contract manufacturer and engineering design operation has agreed a £7.6 million proposal with IDA Ireland to establish a manufacturing operation in Dublin, creating 262 jobs within three years. Three quarters of the jobs will be for experienced manufacturing operatives and people with Leaving Certificate level, who will be trained by the company.

The Tánaiste said "The attraction of this company, supplier to many major US multinationals and located here, is a very significant jobs boost for the Capital. I am pleased that three quarters of the jobs will be for manufacturing operatives and people with Leaving Certificate level."

Benchmark was one of the top ten contract manufacturers in the US, specialising in high quality technologically complex printed circuit board assemblies and providing engineering design services to original equipment manufacturers (OEM's). The industries they focus on include medical devices, telecommunications, industrial and business computers, test instrumentation and industrial control. The company will continue its US strategy of attracting highly complex, low to medium volume assembly business.

Locating in a 4,000 sq.m. (43,000 sq.ft) building in the IDA's Blanchardstown Business Park, Benchmark will carry out major modifications and install state-of-the-art equipment to achieve a highly efficient production facility. Recruitment is now underway and training will commence in September, 1998.

Benchmark is a public company listed on the New York Stock Exchange and employs 2,500 people in its four facilities in North America. The company reported earnings of $3.7 million on record sales of $132.56 million for the quarter ended June 30th. Sales for the six month period to end June represents a 56% increase over the comparable period last year.

This is Benchmark's first European manufacturing operation, and is part of the company's strategy to build on their existing European customer base, which is currently being supplied from the USA. Benchmark's move to Ireland will further strengthen our electronics infrastructure and benefit their existing customers here.

Benchmark's website is located on the Internet at http://www.bench.com.