Tyco back with a bang as 500 jobs to be created in global services centre

A global giant that quit manufacturing in Ireland in 2008 has returned with a bang — creating 500 jobs at a global business services centre in Cork.

Tyco confirmed that recruitment is already under way for the facility which it is understood will be based in the City Gate complex in Mahon.

It is one of the biggest jobs boots in Cork in recent years and less than six years after Tyco, the world leader in fire protection and security systems, closed its manufacturing operations in Shannon and Cork with the loss of several hundred jobs.

Donal Sullivan, Tyco Ireland’s general manager, said that was a difficult time for the company. He said it had maintained a presence in Ireland with just 30 key staff and forged links with CIT in the hope of exploiting future opportunities.

And he said he was personally thrilled to be able to make this investment announcement.

“This is a wonderful rebound story,” he said.

Senior Tyco executive Cathie Barrett said the global business centre in Cork will enable the firm to improve the efficiency of processes in several central support functions, including sourcing and procurement, customer service, research and development, information technology, and finance.

Ministers hailed the firm’s IDA-supported reinvestment in Ireland as a real sign of the country’s improving competitiveness.

Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton praised Tyco’s persistence since its downsizing in 2008.

“It has grown again like a phoenix out of that. It marks the change in the Irish economy. We have become a more competitive place to do business.

“We have invested in skills and R&D so now, a world-class business centre like this, can pick Cork and know it can deliver.”

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney described it as a real shot in the arm for the local economy, but also a big story for Ireland.

“It is a real endorsement of the Irish economy as a place that attracts big names — Tyco is the biggest name in the world in fire and security systems.

“Tyco looked at options across Europe and they decided to chose Ireland and Cork. That is a very strong signal that our economy is moving in the right direction — it’s competitive, it’s healthy, and more importantly we can provide the graduates and workforce for a company like Tyco to expand and grow.”

IDA boss Barry O’Leary described the jobs as high-end and urged people from a variety of educational backgrounds to apply.

There was also a broad welcome from the city’s business leaders.

Tyco, which was set up in the US in 1960, employs 69,000 people at 1,000 sites across 50 countries.

It is the second major jobs announcement in Cork City in recent days.

Forty jobs were announced at the BioMarin plant in Ringaskiddy last Friday, and a €30m photonics research centre has been set up at Tyndall which aims to create up to 200 jobs over the next three years.

* Details on the Tyco jobs are available at www.tycocareers-cork.com