- SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT CENTRE TO CREATE 75 NEW JOBS

- MAJOR INVESTMENT AT IROPHARM TO CREATE 33 NEW JOBS

Mary Harney, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment announced today (Tuesday, January 26th 1999) that Arklow is to benefit from two IDA Ireland supported projects involving an investment of over £20 million and the creation of more than 100 new high quality jobs.

Making the announcement the Tánaiste said "This is a good day for Arklow. These new jobs are a direct result of the Government and its agencies continued focused approach to job creation in the area following the closure of Arklow Pottery. Since its closure the Government have now announced over 500 jobs in six projects."

In a significant breakthrough for the software sectors ASI Technologies Ltd (ASIT) will establish a software development centre in the new IDA Business Park. ASIT will provide software development and consulting services to its parent and associated companies and clients across Europe. 75 new high quality jobs will be provided over the next five years.

The second project involves a £19 million investment by Iropharm in the strategic development of its existing Arklow fine chemicals facility which will lead to 33 new jobs over the next three years.

"The two projects are important advances in Arklow's business and industrial development. Firstly, because ASI is the first major international services company to locate in Arklow in the new IDA Business Park. It will open up significant quality employment opportunities for highly skilled software people. Secondly, because Iropharm will undergo a very substantial investment, giving it a new future in a quality business," the Tánaiste said.

ASI Technologies Services provided by ASI Technologies Limited (ASIT) at the Arklow Centre will be predominately software engineering for the medical and health care industries. These services will be in two main categories, that is software development incorporating software validation and verification and regulatory controls on existing software that are necessary for current compliance with the US FDA (United States Food & Drug Administration) and EMEA, (European Medical Evaluations Agency) as well as any other specific legislative or regulatory requirements.

ASIT is the first investment for the new IDA Ireland Arklow Business Park. The company is hoping to recruit local people, with suitable expertise, as far as feasible as well as qualified and experienced people who would prefer to live in a rural environment. ASIT will be located in the existing farmhouse on the Business Park which the company has refurbished.

"This is the first IDA supported computer services company to locate in Arklow and is a further success for IDA Ireland in its mandate to achieve a greater regional distribution of new software services companies locating in Ireland. It continues the progress of the past twelve months and further demonstrates that the international services sector is satisfied that regional locations can deliver the necessary skilled staff, telecommunications and infrastructure support," the Tánaiste said.

Iropharm Plc The £19 million investment, which is now underway, will provide the capacity necessary for the manufacture of a range of new products for some of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies both in Ireland and abroad.

Iropharm, a subsidiary of AlliedSignal Inc. of the USA, employs 64 people and manufactures bulk active and intermediate pharmaceutical products, primarily anti-depressants, anti-histamines and heart drugs. It was established in 1982 and was acquired by the Speciality Chemicals Business Unit of AlliedSignal in 1997.

The Tánaiste congratulated the management and workforce on winning the expansion and said "With Iropharm already a well established and important part of Arklow's economy, this expansion will offer a further range of new employment opportunities and will provide significant additional economic benefits for the town. The investment will strengthen the company, Arklow's facilities and with the considerable resources of one of the world's premier companies, it has access to a global sales network and an international customer base".