Irish Distillers to create large number of jobs

IRISH DISTILLERS is shortly expected to announce the creation of a large number of jobs as part of a multi-million euro expansion of its processing plant in Midleton, Co Cork.

The announcement, which is expected within the next fortnight, is being driven by the phenomenal growth in sales of its premium product, Jameson whiskey.

Last year the company saw a 20% increase in the sale of the brand, which amounted to 3 million cases sold globally.

Recently, Irish Distillers announced that it was planning a €100 million investment in 40 maturation houses, each 1,600sq m, that will be capable of holding 640,000 casks of whiskey.

The maturation houses will be built at Dungourney, a few miles north of Midleton, on 85 acres of woodland purchased from Coillte.

In 1989, Irish Distillers was selling 450,000 cases of Jameson each year.

Last year production passed 3 million mark and is expected to rise to between 7 and 10 million cases.

Exports are rapidly increasing in the US, South Africa, Eastern Europe and Russia.

The company has stated that it plans to increase the production capacity at the Midleton distillery to support growth.

Meanwhile, Cork has been chosen as the international headquarters of a major US firm — a move that will create 40 jobs.

Network solutions provider, Aruba Networks will conduct business for regions outside the US from City Gate in Mahon.

The jobs will be created over the next four years and its presence suggests that the business district could become a global IT hub.

The flexibility to expand in the City Gate centre was cited as one of the major reasons Aruba Networks chose to locate in the district.