Taiwanese company to create 100 jobs in Ballymote
A leading Taiwan based electronics company is to establish its European manufacturing base in Ballymote with the creation of 100 jobs.
G-LED Lighting will be based at a 20,000 square feet industrial unit at Ballymote Industrial Park.
On Friday morning next, Managing Director of G-LED Lighting, Mr. Daniel Liu, the Taiwan Ambassador to Ireland, Mr. David Lee, President of G-LED Lighting and local Fine Gael T.D., Deputy John Perry will sign a memorandum of agreement committing the company to setting up in the South Sligo town.
G-LED Lighting specialises in the development and manufacture of energy efficient LED lighting systems for use in streetlights, and for public, private and commercial uses.
Deputy Perry, who has been to the forefront in bringing the industry to the county, will sign the agreement in his role as Chairman of the Ballymote Enterprise Company and Chair of the Ireland-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Society.
He told The Sligo Champion that the factory could be up and running as soon as this October but that fitting out of the unit would commence shortly.
Deputy Perry said he expected that 100 jobs would be created over the next three years at the facility.
"I am very pleased to be announcing that this agreement will be entered into. It's a great coup for County Sligo that such a World leading industry has decided to set up its European headquarters in Ballymote," he said.
G-LED Lighting Europe Limited was established in 1996, manufacturing a patented Single Chip LED energy saving lighting systems for public, private, and commercial use.
The product range includes, street lights, flood lights, industrial lights and interior lights. Earlier this year, Mr. Liu visited Sligo at the invitation of Deputy Perry and he also met with representatives of Sligo County Enterprise Board, IDA Ireland, IT Sligo Business Innovation Centre, as well as with senior engineers from Sligo County Council, the Cathaoirleach of the county council, Clr. Gerry Murray, and County Manager Hubert Kearns.
During the March visit, Mr. Liu donated 10 of his company's LED street-lights to Sligo County Council, worth in the region of €1,000 each.
Some time ago, Deputy Perry met with the president of Taiwan, Ma Ying-jeou, during a visit to the Taiwanese capital Taipei.He became the first politician since 1988 to be awarded the Presidential Medal by the President and the first ever Irish politician to receive it.
The medal was presented to Deputy Perry in recognition of his role as Chair of the Society in securing a visawaiver programme between Ireland and Taiwan.
- PAUL DEERING
