World class innovation and development
Investment in research and development is putting Ireland on the map as a global leader in next-generation life science and information technologies. Developing research and innovation capabilities is essential for future economic growth and the sustainability of Irish competitiveness.
IDA actively encourages companies to invest in scientific and technological innovation and build core R&D operations in Ireland. Currently, over 300 multinational companies across all industries are active in R&D and IDA is committed to doubling this number by 2010. In 2004, thirty-six R&D projects were supported by IDA Ireland involving investment by business in excess of €140m.
In parallel, developing Irish academic research capability with its resulting output of ideas and talent is an innovation strategy priority. A series of national initiatives, including expenditure of €2.5 billion on R&D and the establishment of Science Foundation Ireland, has resulted in a transformation of the science base in Ireland.
Lucent Technologies
A milestone announcement in 2004 was the €69 million research investment programme agreed between Lucent Technologies' Bell Labs, IDA Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland. This is one of the most significant direct investments by the Irish Government in a collaborative industry and academic research programme. It is being carried out by one of the world's most renowned research institutions, Bell Labs in conjunction with a group of Irish academic researchers.
A new Bell Labs research centre has been established in Ireland. The centre is focused on next generation telecommunications technologies and is carrying out its own programme of R&D with a corporate mandate as a centre-of-excellence for value-chain-driven research.
The academic partners, from 8 Irish academic institutions, have formed a collaborative research consortium, the Centre for Telecommunications Value-Chain-Driven Research (CTVR), which is headquartered at Trinity College, Dublin.
The expertise developed within both centres will be directly applicable, not only to Lucent, but to both large multinational companies and Irish SME's engaged in the design, manufacture and operation of any advanced electronic products or components and especially those focused on the next generation of fixed and wireless communications networks.
Merit Medical
Merit Medical Systems Inc. is a market leader in single-use medical products for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Last year, the company decided to invest a further €9.3 million in its Irish operation. This expansion of its R&D activities includes the development of new core products at the cutting edge of medical technology and is a designated centre-of-excellence within the Group.
"Our high level of satisfaction with our Galway facility's ability to take on new challenges and its successful track-record in developing new products over the past ten years, were major factors in implementing this crucial investment there" Mr. Fred Lampropoulos, Chairman, President and CEO.
IBM Corporation
IBM Corporation, the world's largest information technology company is making a €22 million investment in its Irish software R&D facility - IBM Dublin Software Laboratory. This investment is part of the strategic development by IBM of its software business aimed at maintaining its leadership in the "middleware" market and will complement other IBM labs globally.
The Dublin Laboratory will develop key components for the new IBM 'Lotus Workplace', a software product designed to help customers collaborate more productively using a variety of integrated, server-managed functions for email, instant messaging, document management and team collaboration.
New competencies in software research for leading edge technologies will be introduced which will move the Irish lab into core software development. "Our decision was influenced by the availability of the necessary skills, the growing emphasis on scientific research by Science Foundation Ireland and the strong support of IDA Ireland." Elaine Stephen, IBM's Director of Lotus Workplace Collaborative Learning.
The Dublin Software Laboratory is building strong relationships with Irish academia. Through the IBM 'Extreme Blue' programme and the Dublin Centre for Advanced Studies, 15 top class Irish scientists and talented students in computer science and business have been provided with opportunities to work within some of the most innovative IBM information technology labs in the world.
Hewlett-Packard
Hewlett-Packard (Manufacturing) Limited, the market leader in laser and inkjet printers, is investing €21.4 million to establish a world-class Technology Development Centre at its Leixlip manufacturing facility near Dublin. The new Irish centre is partnering with the US Supplies R&D organisation to develop a new generation of Integrated Print Head inkjet technology incorporating sophisticated integrated circuits on each print cartridge.
This investment is a natural progression from being purely a manufacturing entity, to an operation with responsibility for earlier stages in the research and development cycle. The new Centre is a significant capability step-up for the Leixlip operation, which employs over 1,800 people and already has a strategic global manufacturing mandate. The substantial talents and competencies, especially in engineering and technology, in the existing operation are being exploited to create an effective global R&D capability.
Hewlett-Packard Company employs a further 2,200 people in Ireland in a range of functions including software development, engineering, high performance computing, sales and marketing, customer support, international finance and managed services.
Liebherr
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One of the world's largest family owned businesses, best known for its cranes and construction machinery has been in Ireland for 46 years. In 2004, it was decided to extend the R&D specialised team with "centre-of-control" responsibility for Liebherr container cranes to develop additional products. The new team is developing products from concept to product launch.
This will further strengthen the strategic position of the Irish operation within the Group and is additional to existing responsibility for worldwide marketing, design and development, manufacturing, erection and after-sales service of Liebherr container cranes. The Irish company is to be the proprietor of any Intellectual Property (IP) developed.