Technology giants Apple are due to expand their presence in Ireland with the announcement that they will be creating 500 Jobs in Cork. Apple will be constructing a new office block to accommodate the additional staff in the coming 18 months. This is a huge boost for the country and of course Jobs in Cork.
Apple’s plant in Cork was established in 1980 and is based in Hollyhill on the north side of the city. It was the company’s first base outside of the US. In the mid-1990’s it was the main production centre for the Mac G3 and the iMac, Apple’s core products and supplied more than 1,900 people with jobs in Cork. There was a period when they outsourced work and had to let 450 people go causing many to speculate that Apples days in Cork were numbered.
With the success of the iPod and Apples presence as the world leader in personal computing the plant in Hollyhill saw staff numbers grow with more Jobs in Cork becoming available. The plant currently plays a major role in Apple’s supply chain in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The European headquarters employs about 2,800 people.
“Apple has been in Cork for over 30 years and we are thrilled to be expanding our presence there,” a spokesman for the firm said. “Our plans will add over 500 new jobs to support our growing business across Europe.”
It was confirmed this week that the company have been meeting with Ida Ireland along with Minister for Jobs Richard Bruton for several months regarding the new Jobs in Cork.
This morning it was confirmed that the company has been meeting with Minister for Jobs Richard Bruton, department officials and IDA Ireland for several months regarding the project.
“The announcement that Apple, one of the world’s leading companies is expanding its operations in Ireland and creating 500 new jobs is a huge boost for the country,” Mr Bruton said. “It is a great testament to the company’s workforce, a great vote of confidence in the future of our economy, and it shows what is possible for Ireland at the heart of a stable Europe”.
IDA Ireland also welcomed the news, saying the investment would provide a significant boost to employment locally.
“This development continues the strong trend of investment over the past years in Ireland, in particular from global ICT companies and demonstrates Ireland’s continuing success in attracting FDI additional investment,” said IDA Ireland chief executive Barry O’Leary.
FiannaFáil TD for Cork South Central, Micheál Martin said all involved should be commended on the investment.
“This announcement hasn’t come about by accident and there are many who will claim credit for it,” he said.
“The City and County managers must be commended on their hard work in providing the right conditions for the expansion as well as the IDA. Those who deserve most credit are the workforce and management of Apple in Cork who have demonstrated to their colleagues throughout the Apple organisation the quality, consistency and success of the company’s Irish operations. “