North West gets 300 job boost

Secretary of State Peter Hain has announced an £83 million investment in the North West, with the creation of 300 new jobs for the area.

The investment at IT firm Seagate Technology plants in Springtown and Limavady forms a major employment boost for the region.

Mr Hain said: “Today’s announcement will see the Springtown plant, already recognised as the most advanced nanotechnology manufacturing facility in the UK, become Seagate’s main global manufacturing facility and a key development site for read/write heads for computer hard drives.

"It will also enable the Limavady plant to produce a wider range of aluminium substrates for integration into Seagate’s hard disk drive products."

The Secretary of State said the company’s decision to expand in the area was a testament to the skills and abilities of the local workforce.

"As Seagate Technology continues to spend more on research and development than any of its competitors, this new investment project will consolidate the position of Londonderry as a leading Centre of Excellence for nanotechnology research and development in the UK," said Mr Hain.

“Since initially deciding to locate at Springtown in 1993 and Limavady in 1996, Seagate has shown continued commitment to developing its Northern Ireland operations, not only investing in its facilities, but also in its people and the wider economy.

"The company annually contributes over £45 million in wages and salaries, spends some £11 million with local suppliers and invests substantially in skills development and training for its workforce."

Government assistance was one of the key deciding factors that helped to secure the projects which will raise Seagate’s total workforce in the North West to 2,163.

Invest NI has offered £16.3 million towards project costs of £62.3 million at Springtown and £8.4 million towards the £20.8 million at Limavady.

(MB/SP)