Semiconductor giant creates 60 jobs at Cork centre

There was good news on the employment front today as a US company Altera announced plans for 60 new jobs at a new centre in Cork.

Altera is setting up a European Shared Services Centre at Cork Airport Business Park. Tánaiste Mary Harney was on hand to welcome the decision, made with the support of IDA Ireland.

Altera is a leading manufacturer of programmable logic devices, which is one of the fastest growing sectors of the semiconductor industry.

Altera plans to create up to 60 new high level jobs, over the next five years, for people with a range of qualifications.

The Tánaiste, welcoming the investment, said: “Altera has confirmed that the Cork Centre will be a key site for the company in Europe.”

Altera is establishing the centre to centralise a number of functions at one location. Functions located in the Cork operation will include management of the complex network of independent European distributors; product pricing; contract negotiations; and financial shared services.

Europe accounts for about 25% of Altera’s worldwide sales. Altera’s European Headquarters will remain in the UK.

Altera’s products, programmable logic devices (PLDs), are integrated circuits that allow electronic system manufacturers to customise a semiconductor based on their application needs.

Tim Colleran, vice-president of European Business Operations for Altera Corporation, said: “We decided to locate our European business operations in Ireland because of the country’s track-record in supporting international services centres and its unique and long established relationships with the semiconductor industry.

"The support being provided by IDA continues to be a critical factor in successfully starting the operations of the Centre.”

Founded in 1983, Altera employs approximately 2,000 people worldwide.