WP Engine is building up a considerable head of steam in Limerick with the opening of a new office on Henry Street and plans to create an additional 20 jobs, bringing the headcount to 140 after just three years in operation.
Site manager and senior director Paul Ryan said that the Limerick operation is responsible for helping major brands and small businesses access WordPress, the open source ecosystem underpinning the web.
“40 per cent of all websites are currently powered by WordPress, which means the web does truly flow through Limerick,” he added.
Mr Ryan said that the expansion of the Limerick base was due to WP Engine’s massive international momentum, especially in Ireland where the company is driving some of the most exciting tech innovation and development that’s shaping the future of the web.
“WP Engine Ireland has doubled its customers from 3,328 just three years ago to more than 8,000. Our local team is putting Limerick and Ireland on the map for the global tech industry, bringing in new investment, job growth and shaping the future of the web.
“The new office shows our commitment to Limerick, a place where local businesses and the international tech sector can thrive. In Limerick, we’ve been building our local team of developers who are constantly raising the bar and driving innovation for the WP global operation.
Tánaiste and Enterprise Minister Leo Varadkar said that the 20 new jobs were a fantastic addition to what is a vibrant and growing technology sector in the area.
“I’m particularly pleased to see flexible working being offered as it’s a big priority for Government. WP Engine is on an impressive trajectory, with significant growth in both customers and staff since establishing in Ireland in 2016,” he said.
WP Engine chairwoman and chief executive Heather Brunner said they had built the new Limerick office around the needs of its team.
“To support our working culture, we created several employee breakout and lounge areas, including the provision of complimentary food and drinks. We also have a lounge which acts as a multi-purpose space, a functioning breakfast bar and sofas.
“These collaborative spaces mean that employees can get what they want out of the office and are able to cater the ways that they work best to themselves through access to different spaces and environments all under one roof.
“We removed the opaque treatment on the glass windows which also have minimal branding, allowing the outside public to look inside and get a sense of what it’s like to work at WP Engine. It also means our employees can continue to feel integrated to the wider community, not cooped up inside an office building”.
“We’re proud to encourage flexible work and we want people to walk past our office, to look inside and recognise that we are committed to this and to the best experiences for our employees here in Ireland. It’s no coincidence that WP Engine Ireland this year was recognised as a Great Place to Work for the fourth time.
“We’re hopeful that the success of our brilliant team in Limerick inspires the wider global tech sector to follow our lead and build a better future of work for its employees,” Ms Brunner added.
