A US company is to create 140 jobs as part of a £1.6 million investment at Carrigtwohill, Co Cork. The company, Transistor Devices Inc (TDI), is to establish a manufacturing and R & D facility. TDI is a supplier of power supply systems and battery back-up systems to the computer and telecommunications industries. The systems are used when there is a power loss as they enable an orderly shut down of large computer systems, data storage systems and telecommunications systems without the loss of data.

The company, which is being supported by IDA Ireland funding, has commenced operations at a temporary location in Cork city until it decides on a permanent building. The Cork plant will initially manufacture battery backup systems, but full system integration will be added at a later date.

The Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms Harney said yesterday that the current level of interest in Cork by IDA-backed companies was very high.

"A number of substantial new projects are currently in negotiation with IDA Ireland for Cork and I hope to be able to announce further positive jobs in the coming months."

Yesterday's announcement is the latest in a series of job announcements for Cork. Just two weeks ago it was announced that Computer Products in Youghal was to create 250 jobs over the next three years. The IDA-backed company is undertaking a a £12.9 million expansion programme. It will bring employment to 550. The company, which manufactures electronic products for the telecommunications and data networking industries, includes Ericsson, Alcatel and Siemens among its clients.

Warner Lambert is upgrading its three production plants in Cork as part of a £39 million investment programme, creating 100 jobs.

TDI said yesterday that it intended to use Cork as its base from which to expand its British and European business. It says it will capitalise on opportunities provided by the deregulation of the European telecommunications market, scheduled for next year.

TDI is a privately-owned company, based in New Jersey. It was founded in 1960 and currently employs 950 people. Its sales last year were £58 million, a 21 per cent increase over the previous year. The company said part of the increase was due to the `flexible engineering and service support" it offered to customers.