Minister Martin Announces 75 new jobs for Limerick in two US investments

Vistakon confirms €100m expansion, ChannelAdvisor opens European Office

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin, TD, today (Tuesday 12th February 2008) announced that 75 jobs are to be created in Limerick with investments by two US firms.

Vistakon Inc, a division of Johnson & Johnson, is to invest €100 million, with the support of IDA Ireland in a further expansion of its manufacturing operation, which already employs over 600 people in Limerick.

ChannelAdvisor Corporation, a leading provider of e-commerce channel management solutions and services for Internet retailers, is to create 15 jobs with the establishment of a European Product Development and Business Support Centre in Limerick.

Welcoming both announcements Minister Martin said they again underline that Limerick and the Mid-West are key locations for business.

“Only last week I was in Shannon to confirm an investment by Zimmer which will bring a further 250 new jobs to the Free Zone, while here in Limerick last year we had a number of significant announcements including those of ACI Global Tech, Rovsing A/S of Denmark and AR Europe.”

“Today’s announcements are both significant and show that Limerick is playing a key role in supporting our transition to a knowledge economy that will provide quality jobs for our people.”

Vistakon will be creating 60 new jobs this year in manufacturing, process development, engineering and quality.

Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, Vistakon Inc designs, manufactures and markets the ACUVUE® range of soft disposable contact lenses, the world’s number one brand.

Minister Martin said “We are delighted that Vistakon has chosen its Irish base for this manufacturing technology development centre. Vistakon is a flagship manufacturing operation in Ireland and its existing significant economic benefit to the region will increase greatly as a result of today’s announcement which will place the Limerick operation in a strong competitive position by producing next generation high value products for a growing worldwide market, while providing a solid foundation for future growth and nurturing of expertise.”

Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, (Ireland) Limited, trading as Vistakon Ireland, was established in Limerick in 1996 and exports to markets worldwide. Located at a state-of-the-art facility in the National Technology Park, adjacent to the University of Limerick, the majority of the workforce has a third level qualification. Vistakon Ireland is one of seven Johnson & Johnson companies operating in Ireland, employing a total of 2,000 people.

Jim Canny, Vice President – Worldwide Supply Chain, Vistakon, said “This development is part of Vistakon’s aggressive growth strategy to capitalise on the global contact lens market’s huge potential. Limerick was chosen for this investment because of its track record in achieving targets and its success with a number of the company’s product development initiatives. We continue to work closely with IDA Ireland in our ongoing growth and development. With our experiences of Limerick, and of J&J’s experiences at its five other IDA-supported plants in Ireland, we are confident that the Limerick operation is the right choice for this investment.”

Minister Martin also welcomed ChannelAdvisor Corporation, of the US, to Limerick. ChannelAdvisor is a leading provider of e-commerce channel management solutions and services for Internet retailers. It is establishing a European Product Development and Business Support Centre in Limerick, with the support of IDA Ireland. ChannelAdvisor is planning to employ up to 15 people immediately and then expects to grow that number considerably over the coming years. Its products allow companies to develop Internet based retail operations through online marketplace sites such as eBay, Amazon.com, Overstock.com, Google and Yahoo!

The Centre will be responsible for software development, localisation, quality, systems, accounts, customer support, the redevelopment of existing European products and the creation of a common platform for US and European products. ChannelAdvisor, which is technologically very highly regarded within its industry segment, is a privately owned company from North Carolina, US. It employs around 300 people at locations in Research Triangle Park, Atlanta, Seattle, London, Melbourne, and Berlin.

Minister Martin said “ChannelAdvisor is a superb addition to the base of digital media companies choosing Ireland to set up highly sophisticated technological operations. ChannelAdvisor made the decision to locate in Limerick based on the availability and compatibility of Ireland’s expertise and existing technology base. We are delighted that having completed a search for the most suitable location, they chose Limerick over strong competition.”

“Due to increasing demand for our solutions, ChannelAdvisor is excited about opening an office in Ireland and taking important steps to broaden our reach,” says Ralph Kasuba, Vice President of Engineering. “With the opening of our new office, we believe ChannelAdvisor customers will benefit from the enhanced level of service we can offer.”

ENDS/ETE 1858

For further information please contact –

Jerry O’Connor, Press Advisor, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Tel: 01 6312200

Ruth Croke/Brendan Kenny , Press Office, IDA Ireland, TEL: 01 6034000