A leading US market research firm is to create 50 new jobs in Galway over the next five years, according to Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Innovation, Batt O’Keeffe who made the announcement on Monday.
Minisiter O’Keeffe announced the expansion of Industrial Info Resources (IIR ) which has plans to establish a European operations centre in Ballybrit Business Park. The new positions that will be created over the next five years will be in areas such as research, sales, administration, and management and it is understood that recruitment has already begun.
Industrial Info Resources, which was founded in 1983 and has its headquarters in Texas, carries out in-depth market research on the industrial processing, heavy manufacturing, and energy-related industries worldwide and offers knowledge management solutions to firms in those sectors.
The new European headquarters in Galway is part of the company’s plans to expand its support to clients globally. The centre will develop subscription-based industrial market intelligence databases on the European market and sell IIR’s global capabilities to European clients.
Speaking in Ballybrit on Monday, Minister O’Keeffe described the announcement as “another significant foreign direct investment win for Galway”.
“IIR’s investment in Galway reinforces the western region’s growing reputation as a location for high-end business services operations. IIR has a strong track record in the industrial market research space for over 27 years and Galway is now well positioned to play a key role in the firm’s continued growth,’ said Minister O’Keeffe.
“Galway is an ideal location to grow our operations to better service our customers throughout Europe,” said Ed Lewis, president of IIR. He added that the company is confident that there is a ready availablity of skills in Ireland which is required for the long-term success of its European operations.
Welcoming the announcement, the chief executive of IDA Ireland, Barry O’Leary, said: “IIR’s decision to locate this significant knowledge-intensive part of its international business in Galway is in line with IDA Ireland’s strategic focus to win new investment in the diversified business services sector and it is a very welcome addition to the growing cluster operating successfully from Ireland.”
