Top US financial firm ACI to set up in Limerick

Limerick is poised for another jobs jackpot.

A top US financial company will shortly set up at Plassey Technology Park, near the University of Limerick. It is not yet known how many will be employed.

Over the past five weeks, 830 new jobs have been announced for the city and county. Among the new companies are four based in Texas (the IDA was wise to open an office).

The opening of a data centre by ACI enhances the Mid-West’s growing status for foreign direct investment. The new centre will serve European, Middle Eastern, and African (EMEA) markets.

Software used by ACI is responsible for handling $13tn in payments and securities transactions every day, for more than 300 of the leading global retailers, and 18 of the world’s 20 largest banks.

The US multinational’s move to Limerick has been seen by industrial promotion agencies as a significant development.

The city has the favourable climate and geographical conditions that tech firms seek when they are selecting data-centre sites.

Cool, temperate climates, in areas considered to be earthquake-free, are just two of the external factors considered by data-centre operators who rank Ireland, the UK, Iceland, and some of the Scandinavian countries amongst their top choices.

The IDA say the Mid-West region’s ability to attract foreign-direct investment companies was helped by access to Shannon Airport and its international route network, including connections to the US.

A highly educated workforce from the University of Limerick, Limerick Institute of Technology, and Mary Immaculate College, as well as the amount of grade-A office space coming onstream, are adding to the IDA’s ability to sell the region to their client companies abroad.