US telecommunications company Tellabs is recruiting an additional 150 staff for its plant in Drogheda, Co Louth.

The company already employs 210 people at its plant and the new jobs will be created as the result of an investment of $10 million. The bulk of the investment, $7.5 million, is being spent on a new high-speed Surface Mount Technology (SMT) production line that was installed to meet growing demands for Tellabs products.

"We are a major player on a global scale and Ireland has played a critical part in that success. We are growing at 45-50 per cent and if you look at the volume of production, we will play a major part in the future," Mr John Kohler, vice-president of Global Manufacturing said.

He also said there was plenty of additional space in their Drogheda plant for extra production and people. "We plan to add 150 people and I hope we exceed that expectation," he added.

Recruitment for the additional staff is underway and expected to be completed by the end of next year. Plant manager Mr Brian Murphy said Tellabs is attracting people from across the North East region.

Last year Tellabs, which employs 500 at its Shannon plant, had a global revenue of $2.3 billion. In August 1999 it acquired its current plant in Drogheda which was then occupied by DSC/Alcatel. Tellabs produces switching systems, fibre optics telecommunications products and says it is at the front of developing technologies in its field.

The formal announcement of the new investment was made yesterday by the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Mr Ahern, who complimented IDA Ireland on originally attracting Tellabs to the area and said Drogheda is strategically located to attract further investment.

The IDA is believed to be close to purchasing additional lands to give it a business park of nearly 70 acres on lands between the town and the new Drogheda bypass, which is under construction. "With the motorway in place as the final piece of the jigsaw, it will allow this area to prosper to its full potential," the Minister said.

Planning applications from the IDA for two office buildings of around 90,000 sq ft suitable for use as call centres or other similar industries, are expected to be lodged with Meath County Council in the coming weeks.