APC chose Galway as European R&D Base

American Power Conversion Corporation (APC) is to base their European R&D Centre in Galway.

In an investment supported by IDA Ireland, APC anticipate investing in excess of one million euro in this new centre.

Making the announcement, Tánaiste Mary Harney said: "This centre will play an integral part in developing the software and technology to keep APC at the forefront of its business and will create highly skilled jobs in Ireland. It will also expand the role of APC's Irish operations within the Corporation.

"This project is an excellent model of the kind of investment IDA wants to achieve throughout the ICT sector here. It shows that overseas companies in the sector in Ireland are not just alive and well but are investing in innovation and creating higher value activities to give them more control over their futures. It also proves that Ireland has retained the capacity and the competitiveness to attract investments which will create quality employment in leading-edge operations."

With a presence in Ireland since 1994, APC provide products, such as uninterruptible power supplies, which keep computer networks operating and protect communications and electronic equipment when the external power supply is unreliable or suddenly cut-off.

The Irish development team's initial role in the new Centre will be to develop software which will ensure compatibility of APC's products with all relevant computer operating systems.

Founded in 1981, APC employs approximately 800 people at three Irish operations - its European headquarters in Galway and at facilities at Castlebar, in Co Mayo, and Dublin.

A Fortune 1000 and S&P 500 Company, APC employs more than 5,000 people worldwide and recorded revenues of €1.5 billion for 2001.

(SP)