Semiconductor giant Intel has announced plans to accelerate investment in Europe, including significant expansion of its Irish manufacturing operations. Investment underway in Intel’s Leixlip plant near Dublin is expected to lead to the creation of 1,600 new high-tech jobs upon completion.

Intel’s CEO Pat Gelsinger outlined the company’s global plans at an online event, saying Intel’s IDM 2.0 model will pave the way for it to continue to lead through manufacturing.

 

Speaking in an editorial on the company’s website, Eamonn Sinnott – General Manager of Intel Ireland and VP of the firm’s Technology and Manufacturing Group – confirmed that since locating its technology campus in Ireland in 1989, Intel has invested US$15bn in manufacturing capacity, transforming the 360-acre site (formerly a stud farm) in Leixlip into one of the largest and most advanced semiconductor manufacturing operations in Europe. The current expansion, which in time will more than double Intel’s available manufacturing space in Ireland and Europe, has seen an additional US$7bn investment between 2019 and 2021.

Intel’s 32-year journey in Ireland 

Taoiseach Micheál Martin welcomed the news, saying the leading chip-maker has made an enormous contribution to Ireland: “Intel’s journey in Ireland has been an extraordinary one and these plans for the next phase of its development will enhance its reputation as a global leader in semiconductor innovation and manufacturing. Already a substantial employer in Ireland, with some 5,000 employees, these further new jobs will be most welcome. The government’s mission in the coming months and years is to get people back to work and rebuild our economy, while at the same time ensuring Ireland remains well placed to thrive in the new green and digital economy of the future, with high quality, sustainable jobs. Today’s announcement is very welcome for that reason. I wish Intel continued success with its operations here.”

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar TD said: “I’m really pleased that Intel is continuing to invest in its Leixlip operations. Intel put Ireland on the map as a tech hub and this expansion, creating 1600 jobs, is massive. It’s another huge vote of confidence in Ireland’s future. The company has demonstrated not just longevity and resilience in its 32 years in Ireland but an ambition to continuously innovate and develop. That growth has been of enormous benefit to the entire country.”

Supporting the EU’s vision for digital transformation by 2030

Martin Shanahan, CEO of IDA Ireland described the company’s plans to invest and further expand its global manufacturing network as “exciting, ambitious and innovative”, and said the substantial expansion represents a significant investment that will continue to position the Irish site at the centre of Intel’s European and future global operations.

 

“The level of Intel’s commitment to Ireland and its impact on the Irish economy has been, and will continue to be, enormous,” he said, adding: “The work undertaken at the Leixlip campus is highly complex, and this investment will bring Intel’s latest generation of 7 nanometre process technology to Ireland and Europe. While this investment is very important to Ireland, it is also very important in a European context, and will help to deliver on the EU’s vision for digital transformation by 2030.

The scale of the investment and the number and types of jobs being created is a huge vote of confidence in the Leixlip campus and is testament to Intel’s continued commitment to Ireland. Furthermore, the company has signalled that there will be an opportunity for additional investment as it plans to announce another phase of expansions in locations including Europe in the next year. I wish Intel every success with this exciting new phase of development in Ireland and globally and look forward to our continued partnership approach.”