Cork site for EMC research unit

US-headquartered data storage company EMC has chosen Co Cork as the base for its new European research and development (R&D) operation.

The new EMC Research Europe operation — which will be headed up by EMC Ireland executive, Donagh Buckley — will be located in Ovens and act as an expansion to the R&D facility established by the group in Cork three years ago.

EMC Research Europe will undertake cloud computing, big data and data centre research for the international market, much of which will be carried out via research partnership agreements with both University College Cork and University of Limerick.

“EMC is committed to bringing together some of Europe’s leading research minds and innovators and collaborating with them in essential information technologies.

“This new European research initiative is a key step in the further development of Ireland’s support role for EMC at a European and global level,” said the group’s senior vice president and general manager for Britain and Ireland,Adrian McDonald.

EMC already employs nearly 2,000 people in Cork, and more in its sales offices in Dublin and Belfast. It is uncertain whether the new facility will result in any significant new jobs

The project will initially be staffed by a team of technology experts from EMC offices in Ireland and mainland Europe.

Nevertheless, even without confirmed new jobs, the news was warmly welcomed by IDA Ireland yesterday. Its chief executive Barry O’Leary said that this significantly ups Ireland’s status as a hub for information infrastructure products.

“Ireland is building a reputation as a leader in cloud computing, which forms an integral part of this announcement.

“The collaborative nature of this announcement highlights the strong relationships which exist between industry and academia as part of Team Ireland,” he said.