The Midlands received a much-needed boost today with the news that a leading US cooling systems manufacturer will create 145 jobs over five years in Portlaoise.
EBM Industries, a leading manufacturer of rotor fans and ventilation systems, has invested £4.4 million with the support of IDA Ireland in its new Portlaoise facility.
EBM’s clients include such blue chip companies as IBM, Hewlett Packard, and Sun Microsystems. Portlaoise will now become the European technical support centre for these and other clients.
Speaking at today’s opening ceremony, the Tánaiste Ms Harney welcomedthe arrival of EBM and said the ongoing work of the Laois Task Force, together with the IDA and other State agencies, will lead to further positive developments for the county.
The Midlands has suffered a number of high profile company closures in recent years.
These include Snickers, Lowe Alpine and Daiber in Tullamore, Dawn Dairies in Moate, Atlantic Mills in Tullamore and Longford, Avon in Portarlington, Leoni in Birr and Tarkett in Mullingar.