Energy and services group SWS is to create 130 full- and part-time jobs on the back of new contracts it has won recently. The group said yesterday that it planned to hire 70 full-time and 60 part-time workers to staff a new 1,523sq metres facility in Clonakilty, Co Cork.

The new staff will work for SWS's business process outsourcing division, which provides services, such as payroll, billing, human resources management and accounts payable, on a contract basis for a range of big clients. The section already employs 250 people.

It recently won new contracts from the Denis O'Brien-backed Topaz Energy, State body Bord Bia, and newspapers, the London Independentand Belfast Telegraph.

The Cork co-ops which own SWS could decide before Christmas on the sale of the bulk of the business to one of two bidders. Its statement yesterday said it was going through due diligence and expected this process to end by December 22nd.

Utility group One51 and venture capitalist, Ion Equity, are in the running to buy three of the group's businesses, including its outsourcing arm.

SWS is a mixed bag. It is also involved in waste management, alternative energy and providing various services to farmers, such as cattle registration.

Along with business services, the waste and energy divisions are for sale. These make up the bulk of its operations.

SWS has been on the block for some time, and attracted a number of bids, one known to be as high as €120 million. Commenting on the expansion, chief executive Kieran Calnan said it marked a new phase of growth.

"We believe that it will allow us to build on a very strong track record in Ireland, enabling the business to develop into export markets," he said.