US MOBILE electronics and accessories firm Zagg has confirmed it is planning a “PR event” in mid-April to announce plans regarding a manufacturing facility in Shannon, Co Clare.
Local reports have suggested Zagg has partnered with a small Co Clare manufacturing firm to establish a new facility in Shannon, which will see up to 300 staff employed by 2014.
Zagg spokesman Nathan Nelson yesterday said he had “nothing to announce right now” but that the company would “outline everything” at a planned event on April 15th.
Details of the venture emerged this week, although it is known that Zagg has already moved into a 30,000sq ft facility in the Shannon Industrial Estate.
Despite the secrecy, Zagg, a producer of accessories for mobile devices including Apple’s range, has produced its first order from its new base in Shannon.
The company, based in the former Tyco Electronics facility in Shannon, will cater for the European, Asia and African arm of its international operation.
It is understood however that Zagg’s partner firm, which employs 30-40 staff, will continue to operate its current business in its existing premises while the additional jobs promised will be based in the former Tyco plant.
Zagg, based in Salt Lake City in Utah, is expected to employ just 20 staff in Shannon, while the partner company will create an estimated 280 extra jobs over the next three years. Both firms will work together in the same facility.
Mayor of Shannon Tony Mulcahy said: “There is no doubt about it but this is the real deal and it is going ahead. This is a huge boost for Shannon and Co Clare and we welcome it very much. We’ve had enough bad news in the region in recent years but this is good news.”
“We are looking at 140 jobs by the end of 2012 and that will increase to 300 by the end of 2014,” Mr Mulcahy added.
Zagg this week announced that fourth-quarter revenue in 2010 was $29.3 million, an increase of 157 per cent from the same period in 2009 and a 27 per cent sequential increase compared to the third quarter of 2010.
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