115 jobs in R&D in food and IT

Two companies have announced expansions that will see the creation of 115 jobs and millions of euro invested in research.

Global nutrition and dairy company Glanbia announced the creation of 90 jobs in Dublin and Co Monaghan while Glen Dimplex unveiled part of a €40m investment programme that is looking to replace oil in home- heating systems.

Co-Kilkenny-based Glanbia will build an ultra- heat treatment facility in Monaghan, producing milk and cream that will be exported to markets in China, Europe and the Middle East.

The company will also establish a Europe, Middle East and Africa head office in Dublin to boost international growth in its sports nutrition brand.

Jobs Minister Richard Bruton said the announcement, which will see 40 new positions in Monaghan by early 2014 and 50 skilled jobs in the capital, is a further example of growth in the food sector.

“Today’s announcement that Glanbia is creating 90 jobs in Dublin and Monaghan is a major boost for the sector and further evidence of what can be achieved right across the country,” Mr Bruton said.

Glen Dimplex will create 25 research positions at its Dunleer, Co Louth facility to 75. The facility is part of a €40m investment programme by Glen Dimplex in renewable energy technologies.

As electricity is increasingly generated from renewable resources Glen Dimplex is aiming to become as a provider of renewable electric heating products. CEO of Glen Dimplex, Sean O’Driscoll says the transformation in the energy market will be similar to what has happened in computing in the last 25 years..

“The world’s energy sector is where the telecommunications and IT industries were 25 years ago — at the beginning of a transformational journey. All future energy scenarios anticipate increased renewables and increased usage of electricity for heating,” he said.