Tesco deal to see Cork lighting firm create 25 new jobs

A Cork-based lighting firm is to create 25 new jobs after securing a major contract with Tesco.

Green technology produced by Nualight is to be implemented across Tesco stores in the UK and USA in a deal worth up to €5m to the company in 2010, growing by up to €10m by 2013.

The firm said it would create 25 new jobs including graduate export positions to add to the 55 currently employed, with employment likely to grow to 80 in the next two years.

The announcement was welcomed by Enterprise Minister Batt O'Keeffe, who said it emphasised how Irish companies could leverage their local relationship with multinationals to get business globally.

"Nualight is an example of the Smart and Green economies in action globally and we are very proud of the fact the company is now exporting to 20 countries," the minister said.

Tesco Ireland, where Nualight is a supplier, has facilitated the Irish lighting company’s access into the Tesco global network. Nualight was originally selected in October 2008 by Tesco Ireland to supply its Irish stores in a €1m deal. The new deal enables Nualight to expand its relationship with Tesco beyond Tesco Ireland where it has already retrofitted 115 stores.

Nualight, founded in 2004 by Dr Liam Kelly, focuses exclusively on LED lighting for refrigerated display illumination for global food retail.

Its shareholders include Enterprise Ireland, ESB novusmodus, the green investment fund of the State electricity company, 4th Level Ventures, Climate Change Capital Ltd and the Quinn Family.