THE Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Mr Bruton, has announced a series of new projects and expansions of existing businesses in Clare and the Shannon region which will lead to the creation of 1,400 jobs.
The biggest single project is at Ennis, Co Clare, where IDA Ireland is backing a £20 million proposal for Hans Andersen, of Vienna, one of Europe's largest costume jewellery manufacturers. It will lead to 200 jobs in four years, eventually increasing to 600 as the company continues to expand its European markets.
The company will shortly submit a planning application for a 220,000 sq ft custom built facility on a 10 acre site outside Ennis.
"It marks a major breakthrough for Ennis, in that it is the first major overseas investment into Ennis in over 10 years," said Mr Bruton. He paid a special tribute to the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Mr Donal Carey, a local Fine Gael TD, who "has played a key role in bringing the project to Clare".
Andersen already employs almost 400 people in Rathkeale, Co Limerick, producing the company's high quality range of Pierre Lang designer jewellery. It is sold by direct marketing in Austria, Switzerland and Germany. Mr Bruton said the project was won against stiff competition from eastern Europe, close to the parent company and the main markets.
Meanwhile, Mr Bruton announced plans for 27 companies in the Shannon region, backed by Shannon Development, to create 800 new jobs within the next three years. Of these, almost 500 jobs are being created by Irish owned companies. "This is real proof that indigenous industry in the Shannon region is in excellent shape," he said.
Nine international companies are to provide 310 jobs in eight new projects and one expansion. The largest number of jobs are being created by Key Tech Products Ltd, which is taking on 180 people. It was set up in 1993 by three local business people to subsupply electronic companies. The expansion will bring to 340 the number of staff employed by the company.
One of the international projects will bring to Ireland its first heart valve manufacturer, according to Mr Bruton. Alliance Medical Products Ltd, a subsidiary of California based Alliance Medical Technologies, will create 55 new jobs. The project was won over stiff competition from the Netherlands and Scotland.
Mr Paul Sheane, chief executive of Shannon Development, said the jobs announcements further position the Shannon Region as the fastest growing area outside Dublin.
