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Tech4Biz | 30 Nov 2009 :  Intel has celebrated 20 years of operations in Ireland. From its campus in Leixlip, the company started in 1989, initially producing motherboards and systems. Over its 20 years in the country, Intel says that it has invested more than €6 billion, turning its former stud farm site into "the most technologically advanced industrial location in Europe". The company now employs more than 4,000 people in Ireland, with manufacturing and business units based here ranging from Digital Health and Intel Labs Europe to the Technology and Manufacturing Research Europe team. There is also an Embedded Communications site in Shannon.

Ireland is Intel's manufacturing and technology centre for Europe and the campus in Leixlip, Co. Kildare is one of Intel's largest manufacturing sites.

An Taoiseach Brian Cowen attended celebrations and said, "I would like to acknowledge and congratulate the wonderful achievements of Intel throughout its 20 year history in Ireland. Building on one of the nation's greatest resources - our intellectual capital, Intel Ireland has consistently surpassed expectations and gone beyond its core mandate. The employees at Intel Ireland are a great example of what can be achieved when the Irish put their minds to it".

"I want to thank each and every one of our employees - they have been absolutely magnificent over the past 20 years," said Jim OHara, Intel Ireland General Manager and Vice President, Technology Manufacturing Group, Intel Corp. "I am hugely proud of what Intel Ireland has achieved since we came here in 1989 and the contributions we have made to Intel Corporation and to the country. I would also like to recognise the contribution and support of the Irish government towards the success of Intel in Ireland and of course the continued strong support from the communities' local to Intel - this anniversary truly is a shared success story".