BUSINESS
Shannon area gets new jobs
14-07-2008
by Deirdre McArdle
Technology firm Mentor Graphics is to create 35 new jobs at its facility in the Shannon Free Zone.
The firm, which operates in the area of Electronic Design Automation, develops hardware (chips and circuit boards) and software (embedded operating systems and applications/drivers) aimed at companies that create products in fast-paced industries such as wireless communications and internet network servers.
Mentor Graphics was established in 1981 and has its headquarters in Oregon in the US. Its Shannon base is the firm's International Services and Distribution centre for European, Middle Eastern and Asian regions. The firm employs around 4,200 people around the world, with 80 based in Shannon.
Also on Monday, PAFS Ireland, a subsidiary of California-based Phoenix American Financial Services said it is to establish a new business in the Shannon Free Zone, creating 15 jobs.
"Combined with the 250 new jobs and EUR50 million investment announced earlier this year for Shannon by Zimmer Holdings Inc, these new jobs bring to 300 the number of new jobs announced for the Shannon Free Zone in the past six months," said the Tanaiste Mary Coughlan, who made the announcement. "The decisions by Mentor Graphics Ireland Ltd to expand their business, and by PAFS Ireland... to establish a new business in Shannon Free Zone, is a strong vote of confidence in the facilities and skilled work force that the Shannon Free Zone has to offer."
The jobs announcement comes as Shannon Development releases its 2007 annual report. The newly appointed CEO of Shannon Development, Dr Vincent Cunnane, indicated that the organisation had a good year in 2007 despite the slowing economy. Dr Cunnane said one of the organisation's key priorities will be to regenerate the Shannon Free Zone, and in particular the Limerick area.
Over 110 companies are housed in the Shannon Free Zone, which is located close to Shannon Airport.
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