Intel promise 1,000 jobs at hi-tech plant

The world’s largest chip maker Intel Corporation has announced it will resume construction of a state-of-the-art fabrication plant in the Republic and invest more than €2.2 billion in its operations – a move seen as a sign of recovery in the technology sector.

The plant will employ 1,000 extra staff in high technology jobs, bringing Intel’s workforce in the Republic to about 4,200 people.

The plant, known as Fab 24, in Leixlip, County Kildare, had originally started in June 2000 but was halted during last year's worldwide economic downturn.

The $2 billion manufacturing facility will produce advanced semiconductor components on 300 mm wafers and initially use 90-nanometer process technology.

Operations are expected to begin in the first half of 2004. When the new facility is completed the company will have four 300 mm wafer fabrication facilities in operation.

"As computing and communications devices converge, the need for higher performance components will grow,” Bob Baker, vice president and general manager of Intel's Technology and Manufacturing Group said. “This facility will help us meet that growing demand.”

When completed in 2004, Fab 24 will employ a staff of 1,000. There are currently 3,150 Intel employees in Leixlip.

During construction, Fab 24 will be the largest single construction project in Ireland. Additionally, Intel's cumulative investment in manufacturing facilities in Ireland at the end of 2004 will total more than $5 billion.

Sean Dorgan, Chief Executive of IDA Ireland said that the announcement was a clear vote of confidence by a global leader in the future of the IT industry, and of Ireland.

"Leixlip is Intel’s largest manufacturing site outside the US, its only such site in Europe and now, with this investment, will be one of the first of its sites anywhere to manufacture, in volume, the most advanced 300mm 90nm wafers technology.

“Even though there is still some weakness in IT demand globally, Intel is investing in its own future here in Leixlip, and we greatly welcome that,” he added.

(AMcE)