Minister Martin Announces Alps €14 Million Expansion to Create 140 High Quality Jobs for Millstreet

Increase in technical sophistication, skills profile, product range and manufacturing capacity

Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment Micheál Martin TD today (Tuesday 6^th December 2005) announced that Alps Electric Co. Ltd., of Japan, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of electronic components is to invest €14 million, with the support of IDA Ireland, in the expansion of its automotive components manufacturing facility in Millstreet, Co. Cork.

Minister Martin said “This €14 million investment, which will create 140 new jobs over the next five years, will bring the entire operation to a higher level increasing the technical sophistication, skills profile, product range and manufacturing capacity of the Millstreet facility. It will increase the Irish operation’s already important role in its parent company in Japan and in its global business. This is a significant boost for the company and I congratulate the management team and workforce for their on-going commitment and dedication.”

The Millstreet operation, Alps Electric (Ireland) Ltd, was established in 1988. It currently produces 40% of Alps automotive products sold in the EU, which will rise to 60% when this expansion is fully implemented. It employs 410 people in the manufacture of electronic heating/air conditioning controllers, door modules, light switch systems and other driver-visible vehicle parts for the automotive industry. The expansion will include investment in new technology resulting in more sophisticated products. It will create 140 high quality jobs over five years in engineering and general manufacturing.

Mr. M. Kataoka, President of Alps Electric Co. Ltd., said “This investment is being driven by the growth in demand in the European automotive business. Our Millstreet facility is the most suited for this undertaking because of its track record of success and consistent growth since its establishment in 1988. The dedication and commitment of the employees has brought the Cork operation to the highest of international standards and we are confident that the availability of the necessary skilled workforce in the region will meet the demands of this expansion.”