A major jobs boost will come on stream for Athlone today when a leading market research company officially opens its doors this morning (Friday ).
The jobs will be created at the new NPD base in the IDA Business and Technology Park at Garrycastle, Athlone.
The move will provide a major jobs boost to Athlone and surrounding areas, and is the sixth jobs announcement made by the IDA for Athlone in the past two years.
Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation, John Perry, will perform the official opening at the company’s base in the IDA Business Park, Athlone at noon today.
Deputy Nicky McFadden, mayor of Athlone Sheila Buckley Byrne, president of Athlone Chamber Michael O’Brien, and other local dignitaries will be present to mark the opening and to officially welcome the latest international firm to base its Irish operations in Athlone.
The company launched a recruitment drive in February for staff for its Athlone operation, which will be based in the building formerly occupied by Teleflex - which has moved to another facility within the IDA complex.
CEO of Athlone Chamber Siobhán Bigley welcomed the news.
“It is great news. These are high quality, well paid jobs, and are very welcome to the town. This is the sixth IDA announcement over the last two years, with Teleflex, KCI, PPD, AMS, and Georgia Tech all setting up in Athlone. All are small to medium operations with the potential to grow further, employing from 50 people now up to 250 in future years,” she said.
Deputy Nicky McFadden also welcomed the news as “very positive”, while mayor Sheila Buckley Byrne said she was delighted to welcome this “good news story for the town and the Midlands”.
The NPD Group, which was formed in 1967, is the leading global provider of consumer and retail information for a wide range of industries.
The company employs more than 1,100 people across the globe. Its headquarters are in Port Washington, New York and it has further operations across the US, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
NPD clients include manufacturers, retailers, and service companies in the industries they serve. NPD also provides information to financial services companies that track these industry sectors and companies. NPD has over 1,800 clients, ranging from Fortune 100 leaders to smaller businesses.
