Jobs joy as Intel plans to expand
microchip firm begins initial groundwork on its irish hub
GIANT microchip manufacturer Intel looks set to expand its Irish base as preparatory work begins on the site.
No announcement has yet been made but it is expected it will increase its manufacturing capacity, leading to thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of IT roles soon after.
The company began “enabling work” at the Leixlip, Co Kildare, hub this week and already has planning permission for a 90,000 sq ft facility beside its current site.
Intel’s senior vice president and general manager of manufacturing and operations, Irishwoman Ann Kelleher, announced plans to expand last month.
She said: “Looking ahead we are now in the early planning phase for manufacturing site expansions in Oregon, Ireland and Israel, with multiyear construction activities expected to begin in 2019.
“Having additional space at the ready will help us respond more quickly to upticks in the market and enables us to reduce our time to increased supply by up to roughly 60%.
“In the weeks and months ahead we will be working through discussions and permitting with local governments and communities.
“It is important to note site expansion and the related investment will be taken in stages and are always subject to change based on business, economic and other factors.”
If the building on the new site goes ahead it could create up to 5,000 construction jobs.
The company already employs almost 5,000 people here and says it has invested almost €12.2billion since 1989.