US Manufacturer HID opens new logistics facility in Shannon

From left to right: Will Corcoran, Regional Manager Mid-West IDA Ireland; Björn Lidefelt, Executive Vice President and Head of HID; and Eoin Gavin, President of the Shannon Chamber of Commerce participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony of HID’s newest Logistics Centre that will support 55 countries across the region.

US Manufacturer HID has further expanded its operations across Ireland, opening its new Logistics centre in Shannon.

The facility is the identity products maker's second-largest logistics centre, supporting 55 countries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

The new site doubles that of its previous facility and now employs 60 people with plans to further grow the plant's headcount in the next few years. 

In a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation Dara Calleary, the TD welcomed the expansion and HID's decision to move to Ireland's Mid-West.

"I welcome all growth opportunities, especially in regional areas. Shannon is thriving in the technology space and having a global leader such as HID open in the area is a very welcome addition," Mr Calleary continued.

The US firm was founded in 1991 and employs more than 4,500 employees worldwide with customers in more than 100 countries. 

Headquartered in Texas and operating in Ireland since 2006, HID has steadily expanded its manufacturing, R&D, supply chain customer service, IT, finance, human resources, and other business functions in Ireland to support its growing customer base across EMEA.

First establishing itself in Tully, Galway, the company is best known in Ireland for providing the enabling technology for Ireland’s passport card program, which was the first of its kind to allow travellers to cross borders in Europe with an electronic passport card rather than a traditional passport booklet. 

In 2022, HID opened a Centre of Excellence in Galway city which employs around 500 people.

“The new Logistic Centre is strategic in sustaining the global growth HID has experienced, demonstrating our commitment to fostering innovation and product availability across the region,” said Josh Freeman, HID’s Senior Vice President and Head of Operations.

Supported by IDA Ireland, chief executive, Michael Lohan called HID a "welcome addition to the Mid-West established Technology cluster, adding that he wished HID and its team in Shannon" every success with this expansion.”