AMERICAN infrastructure provider Vertiv is setting up a major manufacturing base in Derry in a multi-million pound investment which will lead to 200 skilled jobs in the city.
And the recruitment process to hire engineering staff for the facility in Campsie has already begun.
New York Stock Exchange-listed Vertiv’s focus is on solving key challenges facing data centres, communication networks and commercial and industrial facilities by building a portfolio of power, cooling and IT infrastructure devices.
The investment announcement, which has been supported by Invest NI, is the latest development in growing Vertiv’s global manufacturing footprint.
Based at Westerville in Ohio and with a presence in China, India, the Philippines and Italy, the company employs 27,000 people worldwide and has revenues of close to $6 billion (£4.9 billion)
Its customers include Vodafone, Ericsson, Alibaba, AT&T, China Mobile, Reliance, Siemens, Telefonica, Verizon and Equinix.
Vertiv's Europe, Middle East and Africa president Karsten Winther said: “This investment will support our EMEA and global business growth and help us to meet strong market demand for our infrastructure solutions, mainly driven by digitalisation and AI adoption.
“Our focus is on solving the most important challenges facing today’s data centres, and this new investment will support our goal.”?
Philip O’Doherty, managing director for the E+I business at Vertiv, added: “Derry was not the only location we considered for this facility, but it came out on top when we realised the quality of the local workforce, the cost-competitive business environment and the ease with which we can establish links and work with colleges and universities to support our research and development plans.
“The support from Invest NI was also crucial to our decision to choose Northern Ireland.”
The Department for the Economy’s Assured Skills Academies will assist in filling 72 of the jobs by providing training across skills areas in electrical and mechanical installation.
Mike Brennan, permanent secretary at the Department for the Economy, said: “This is excellent news for the north west, endorsing Northern Ireland’s place in the advanced manufacturing sector and further developing our sub-regional economy.
“Assured Skills Academies have a track record of equipping participants with the skills employers need to flourish and grow. Furthermore, participants on these academies who complete the training are guaranteed a job interview for a role with Vertiv and will be strongly positioned for success.”
Foyle MP Colum Eastwood said the jobs are hugely welcome and create a range of opportunities for people in our city to obtain skilled and well-paid work in a growing company.
He added: “I recognise the important role played by Invest NI in supporting the creation of these jobs. The SDLP has long been calling for the company to drive investment towards the most deprived parts of the north and to implement sub-regional targets to ensure that every area receives its share of funding. I hope we will continue to see them work positively with companies in the north west following the recent overhaul of the organisation.”
Mel Chittock, interim chief executive at Invest NI, said: “September’s Investment Summit showcased Northern Ireland’s innovation and technological strengths across a number of sectors, and this announcement demonstrates the attraction of Northern Ireland for international companies that are seeking an optimal location for growth.
“This investment in the advanced manufacturing sector in the North West, which is one of our priority clusters, takes us a step closer to achieving this.”
Vertiv is actively recruiting for vacancies in engineering and other roles, and is encouraging women to apply for positions, with the goal of attracting more females into STEM careers.
It will also use this opportunity to build on its already successful apprenticeship programme to attract graduates and apprentices into full-time skilled roles.
