Minister Martin welcomes Celestica’s expansion in Galway 120 High Quality Jobs to be Created

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin TD, today (Wednesday 21st November 2007) welcomed the expansion of Celestica Ireland’s automated manufacturing services (AMS) capability at its Galway facility which will create 120 new jobs in the area.

The expansion of Celestica’s Galway facility will enable the company to manufacture a fuel cell power pack for its customer, Medis Technologies Ltd. This innovative portable consumer product, the first of its type on the market, will allow customers to power mobile phones, iPods, MP3 players and other handheld electronic devices without connecting to an electrical source. The additional 120 new jobs will include skilled, third-level educated positions in the fields of quality, engineering, automation and chemistry as well as production.

Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Celestica operates an efficient global manufacturing and supply chain network that spans Asia, Europe and the Americas and provides manufacturing services to a variety of industries. The automated manufacturing services facility in Galway currently employs approximately 380 people and has been owned by Celestica since 2004.

Making the announcement in Galway Minister Martin said "This is superb news for Celestica and indeed Galway as it represents yet another example of how the West of Ireland can attract and support the most sophisticated and leading edge investment. The level of automation in this project is exceptional and signals a very positive direction in Irish-based manufacturing towards state-of-the-art automation which requires a skilled workforce to operate and maintain. This announcement reinforces the facility's reputation for excellence in world-class Automated Manufacturing Services with a skill-set that can be leveraged not only by companies in Galway but indeed country wide. I congratulate all those involved in making this a reality."

Celestica spokesperson, Kevin Walsh, Vice President of Automated Manufacturing Services at Celestica’s Galway facility said “We have enjoyed working closely with the Irish Government and we are pleased with the quality and supply of highly skilled and talented people interested in working for our company. We are proud of our ability to exceed our customers’ needs and anticipate their future requirements. The innovative new production line is already up and running and I can attribute the fast dynamic pace of the Irish operation to the staff and management of Celestica’s Ireland facility and I look forward to future developments in our company in Galway.”