High-tech space firm launches European Headquarters in Ireland

'AMPAC-ISP's decision to hub in Ireland demonstrates the esteem in which our high-tech graduates are held by major global players and it underscores the pro-business environment this Government has cultivated to attract foreign direct investments.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O'Keeffe TD

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O'Keeffe TD, today [Wednesday, 2nd June 2010] launched the European headquarters in Dublin of AMPAC-ISP, a global space technology firm that makes components for the aerospace industry.

AMPAC-ISP has established a new space technology development and manufacturing centre in Dublin to develop and build rocket engine components.

It employs 30 workers in Ballycoolin, Dublin, and 65 in Europe.  

Launching the firm's European headquarters, Minister O'Keeffe said it would be a 'space technology development centre of excellence'.

'AMPAC-ISP's decision to hub in Ireland demonstrates the esteem in which our high-tech graduates are held by major global players and it underscores the pro-business environment this Government has cultivated to attract foreign direct investments.

'The Government is investing €14.5 million annually in the European Space Agency which enables firms here to bid for technology development contracts.

'The Government wants Irish technology firms to look to the European Space Agency technology research programmes to drive job creation in high-tech sectors and build on the success of firms such as AMPAC-ISP in opting to hub in Ireland,' said Minister O'Keeffe.

The event was attended by William F. Readdy, former Associate Administrator of the Office of Space Flight, NASA.  

Captain Readdy is a retired NASA astronaut with 672 hours in space over three flights.

David Gibbons, Managing Director of AMPAC-ISP Europe, said: 'Irish technology companies have a real opportunity to develop lucrative export-led business opportunities in the space sector that will boost their own growth prospects leading to more high-quality jobs for Ireland.'

AMPAC-ISP's parent company, American Pacific Corporation, employs over 600 workers globally.

The €1 million Space Technology Centre was developed at the AMPAC-ISP site in Dublin.

It has a large-scale 'clean room' for the development, manufacture and assembly of precision components and systems for the space propulsion and aerospace markets.

Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland officials, who have been working behind the scenes to develop Irish space industry capability and create jobs in the sector, attended the launch.

Enterprise Ireland's Tony McDonald said: 'The investment in the European Space Agency has shown an excellent return for the Irish economy over the past few decades and the Irish Government is seeking to increase further activity in the commercial space technology and applications area which is one of the few areas of growth in the global technology marketplace at the moment.'

About AMPAC-ISP

AMPAC-ISP Corp. (AMPAC-ISP), a wholly owned subsidiary of American Pacific Corporation, manufactures monopropellant and bipropellant liquid propulsion systems and thrusters for satellites, launch vehicles and interceptors.

ISP also designs, develops and manufactures high-performance valves, pressure regulators, cold-gas propulsion systems, and precision structures for space applications, especially in the European space market.

AMPAC-ISP's European operations are headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, and its manufacturing facilities are in the UK and Ireland.  

Visit www.ampacispdublin.eu for further information.

The European Space Agency is Europe's gateway to space.

Its mission is to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world

Visit www.esa.int for further information.

For further information

Debbie Farrell
AMPAC ISP Europe
15-16 Northwest Business Park, Ballycoolin, Dublin 15, Ireland
Direct: +353 (0)1 8665419   
Mob: +353 (0)86 8381002    
Fax: +353 (0)1 8829943
email: dfarrell@ampacisp.eu               
web: http://www.ampacisp.com

IDA Ireland
Thomas McEvoy,
Press & PR Manager,
Tel: 01 6034255
Mob: 087 7426684

Antoinette Tyrrell,
Press Officer,
Tel: 01 6034256
Mob: 087 7572053

Bernard Mallee
Special Adviser on Press and Communications
Minister Batt O'Keeffe TD
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation
Kildare St
Dublin 2
Tel: +353 1 631 3944
Fax: +353 1 631 2828 
Mobile: +353 87 9173022
Email: bernard.mallee@deti.ie