03/07/2008

Seagate Boosts Derry - Months After Limavady Closure

Seagate Technology has announced a £120m investment in its Springtown plant in Londonderry - good news that will be doubly welcome after last year's announcement by the US firm that Seagate in Limavady - also in Co Londonderry - was to be closed, with production being moved abroad.

Last November Seagate's Limavady plant lost 900 jobs in favour of a Seagate facility in the Far East

Now, this fresh investment, going into new equipment, IT, research and development and infrastructure, will confirm Seagate's position as the world's largest manufacturer of hard disc drives.

"This investment will allow our Springtown factory to remain at the forefront of technology," said the company's John Spangler.

"It is already one of the leading producers of read-write heads in the world and is the primary supplier of heads for Seagate. This is a position that will be enhanced by this new investment.

"The success of this factory since it started production in 1994 and the continued success we see for it into the future are evidence of Northern Ireland's capacity to compete in the global marketplace."

See: Waterford Prepares To Shed 500 Staff

(BMcC)

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