US trade mission earns €29m

A WEST Cork firm has secured a major deal in Silicon Valley, as part of a trade mission to California, which secured €29 million worth of new business for Irish companies.

Under the deal Ballingeary-based firm Bárd na nGleann, will provide detailed technical support to California-based Lam Research, a major player in the semi-conductor industry.

This deal will secure jobs into the future at the nine year old west Cork firm

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin said the deal was proof that Bárd and its team of 35 employees are now leaders in the field of writing and editing technical documents for some of the world’s top high tech companies.

Bárd na nGleann is among nine Irish firms to announce major deals during the Enterprise Ireland organised Trade Mission to California’s Silicon Valley, which is being led by Minister Martin.

The Government said yesterday that through Enterprise Ireland it will support the development of companies such as Bárd and assist them to break into new markets.

“Such expansion is vital if we are to continue delivering jobs into communities such as Ballingeary into the future,” said Minister Martin.

“There are firms like Bárd throughout Ireland which have developed specialised services for which there is a worldwide demand, ” he added. “Such cutting edge expertise has ensured that Ireland is now the 10th largest investor in the US with our companies employing over 80,000 people in the States.”