Johannesburg, 15 Sep 1998
Dell Computer Corporation, the world`s leading direct computer systems company has announced that it will build its third manufacturing facility in Ireland. Ireland is the centre for Dell`s manufacturing for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. When the new plant comes into operation towards the end of 1999 it will extend Dell`s total manufacturing presence in Ireland to more than one million square feet.
Dell`s decision to proceed with a third manufacturing facility means that it is now poised to be the largest employer in Ireland in the information technology sector by the year 2000. The company currently employs 3,400 people at its facilities in Limerick and Bray. In January 1998, a 5 year target to create 3,000 new jobs was set and to date Dell has already achieved 50 per cent of this target. With the third manufacturing facility, Dell expects over time to create an additional 1,700 jobs, if market conditions continue as expected.
Dell`s Growth in Europe
This expansion is driven by increased demand from business customers throughout the region. In the second quarter of 1998 Dell Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) announced year-on-year unit growth of 87 per cent which was almost 5 times the growth of the European PC market overall. According to IDC, Dell EMEA is now the number two PC company in Europe in terms of both units shipped and in revenue.
Mr Jan Gesmar-Larsen, President of Dell Europe, Middle East and Africa, said, "The European market has appreciated the benefits of dealing directly with Dell and our leadership in e-commerce has made it even easier and more efficient to do business with us. Currently, we are generating worldwide sales of $6 million per day via the Internet at www.dell.com. We are an ambitious company and as we grow we will continue to invest in infrastructure, people, services and products. We will be introducing new products which will complement our offering to the corporate market this year. We are making an additional investment of up to $90 million in our new manufacturing facility in Ireland which is a sign of our commitment to the EMEA region."
Dell`s Manufacturing
Dell has introduced its most advanced manufacturing techniques to its Irish facilities. Its second European manufacturing plant, which began production in April this year, utilises a cell manufacturing process to meet the needs of Dell`s build-to-order manufacturing process. This plant also houses Dell`s Applications Solutions Centre, which supports the company`s successful growth in the enterprise market, where Dell customers can test the latest developments from Dell and Intel. The third manufacturing facility will be dedicated to Dell`s high-end corporate desktop product range. This third European facility will continue to spearhead Dell`s advanced manufacturing technology.
President Clinton and the Taoiseach`s Address to the People of Limerick
During their address to the people of Limerick on Saturday, President Clinton and the Taoiseach Mr Bertie Ahern thanked Dell for their contribution to the Irish economy. Mr Ahern said, "Limerick is a city steeped in history from the Danes to Dell," and continued, "Earlier on this morning, and with the help of the President, I was with the Dell management at the announcement of another 1,700 jobs for Limerick. We want to thank them for that too. It is not often, Mr President, that we get to a stage where an announcement by a company made in January of a five year plan, that by the end of this year they`ll actually have achieved 80% of that in one year."
President Clinton said, "I am very proud that an American company, Dell Computers, has been able to play such a strong role in this progress. And I thank the Taoiseach and Dell for their announcement today." President Clinton also thanked Dell for its donation of 100 computers to the community at Omagh.
Mr Gesmar-Larsen commented "Dell Europe, Middle East and Africa has made a strong contribution to the success of the Corporation worldwide. We are proud to have made a contribution to Ireland`s economic success and our Irish workforce has played a critical role in Dell`s success in Europe."
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