Microchip plant in Limerick to create 600 jobs through new 630m euro investment

A new 630 million euro research and development facility in Limerick will seek to accelerate technological advances in digital biology, electric vehicles and robotics.

The investment by US tech company Analog Devices (ADI), which specialises in the manufacture of microchips, will create 600 new jobs at its European regional headquarters at Raheen in Limerick.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was among guests at the announcement on Monday.

ADI already employs 1,500 people in Limerick, with the new 600 graduate posts adding to the size of the workforce.

Last year the company announced a separate investment of 100 million euro in ADI Catalyst, a custom-built facility for innovation and collaboration at its Limerick campus.

ADI CEO and chair Vincent Roche said Ireland has been a critical innovation centre for ADI since 1976.

“This next-generation semiconductor manufacturing facility and expanded R&D team will further extend ADI Limerick’s global influence,” he said.

“Through organic R&D and close collaboration with our customers and ecosystem partners, we are striving to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges and enable a more efficient, safer, and sustainable future.”

The new investment is planned to form part of a wider EU collaboration through one of its Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI).

Mr Varadkar hailed the investment.

“This is a really significant announcement for Limerick and the Mid-West region, which marks a new chapter in the longstanding relationship between ADI and Ireland,” he said.

“This massive 630 million euro investment is great news for local employment with lots of jobs being created during the construction phase, and 600 high-end graduate jobs. It means a significant expansion in the size and scale of ADI’s research, innovation, and development, leading to new, highly innovative products. This investment is further evidence of the Government’s commitment to bringing jobs to the Mid-West.

“Most IDA jobs created in recent years have been outside of Dublin, and Limerick has done particularly well with its deep talent pool, universities, airport, and infrastructure. This investment will also mean lots of spin-off jobs and contracts for local SMEs and Irish-owned businesses.

“ADI’s investment is part of Ireland’s commitment to develop Important Projects of Common European Interest, IPCEIs, and will contribute to Europe’s broader microelectronics sector. The future is digital. There can be no such future without microchips and it’s great that Ireland is such an important player in the supply chain.”