Ellison sets the seeds for headquarters in Clonakilty

AN American company has set the seeds to establish its European headquarters in Clonakilty, with the prospect of 34 jobs in the town.

Ellison is a leading engineering company and also a major player in the educational market in the US.

The company said the decision to set up its services operations at the West Cork Business and Technology Park was part of a global strategy to develop its European markets.

Approved by IDA Ireland, the planned 34 high quality jobs will be created over a four-year period. Most of the jobs are aimed at third level graduates, with two-thirds requiring a foreign language expertise.

Ellison president Kent R Chesley said yesterday: “Clonakilty offers us the availability of skilled people, suitable premises and the favourable business environment in Ireland.

“As we develop our business in Europe and prepare to operate directly in areas such as Britain, Germany, the Netherlands and France, we will effectively end our current arrangement of using third-party dealers in those markets.”

The company’s Clonakilty facility will initially provide customer support, sales, marketing, administration and finance services. However, it is envisaged that the West Cork base will subsequently expand to include other functions such as management of the supply chain.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin yesterday opened the company’s new offices, which will become fully operational from next month.

He said the choice of Clonakilty by the company was a further endorsement of Ireland’s ability to provide the people and business climate to support knowledge intensive operations in regional locations.

“This investment is an excellent example of how knowledge dependent operations can find suitable locations throughout Ireland,” he said. “Ellison will be an important presence at the West Cork Business and Technology Park and will make an important economic contribution to the town and surrounding area,” the minister said.

Over the past 18 months, the total number of jobs at the business and technology park jumped from 150 to 400. Ten companies are currently located at the site, one of the main business and technology parks outside of Dublin and Cork city.