Important new international ACS Centre for Cork - 100 jobs.

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Harney T.D, announced today (Tuesday 14^th October 2003) that Affiliated Computer Services, Inc. (ACS) of Dallas, Texas, US, had concluded negotiations with IDA Ireland to establish a centre in Cork to provide its global customers with business process and information technology outsourcing services from there. The company has already commenced recruitment of key people, including systems engineers and administrators, and expects to employ a total of approximately 100 people over the next three years.

In welcoming ACS to Cork, the Tánaiste said that ACS, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading global provider of business process and information technology outsourcing services to business and would be providing employment of the highest calibre for highly skilled and experienced people. "The company will add significantly to the business base in Cork and provide a range of career-enhancing opportunities for graduates in the information technology and business management sectors. It is a timely arrival in Cork and I am confident that the company will attract the dynamic people it requires into this important new centre," added the Tánaiste.

Business process outsourcing (BPO) is a growing industry worldwide, and ACS is a leading provider of BPO services, supporting clients such as MetLife, Motorola, and General Motors. It is building centres around the world, including locations in Europe, to support its global client base and sees the Cork centre as initially providing services in human resource outsourcing, network and systems management, and technical help desk for clients. As outsourcing of business and IT services is a significant growth area worldwide, ACS has the potential not only to provide major service to existing clients and to some of the overseas companies in Ireland, but also to attract new global clients to its Irish centre. Cork will play a key role in the growth of ACS across the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) markets.

With market capitalisation at $6 billion, ACS had revenues of $3.8 billion at the end of 2003 and profits of $491 million. The company employs more than 40,000 people to support client operations worldwide. ACS' web address is www.acs-inc.com. Most of its revenue is currently derived from its activities in the US, with increasing business growth from global clients. The corporation was established in Dallas in 1988 and has built a strong client base in the financial services, healthcare, energy, government, retail, and transportation industries.

ENDS

ETE 1146