A MULTI-NATIONAL communications company is set to open a new centre of excellence in Limerick, with the prospect of up to 400 new jobs to be created.
New York-headquartered Verizon is set to open a new Global Centre of Excellent in Limerick city centre in early 2024, initially creating up to 400 jobs.
The new offices will be based in the new 1BQ development on Bishop’s Quay, which is currently under construction by Kirkland Developments.
Verizon currently employ over 1,000 staff in Dublin, having first set up in Ireland in 2006.
Craig Silliman, Verizon Global Services president, said of the announcement: “As we continue to leverage our global footprint to best serve our customers, grouping these functions in a world-class centre will improve effectiveness and efficiency to deliver best-in-class results for our customers, employees, and partners.”
It is understood that Limerick was chosen ahead of other locations in Europe, Asia, and Latin America, due in part, to the skilled workforce in the region.
The telecommunications giant has already advertised a small number of operations roles in the city, including for a senior manager of global procurement, a procurement agent supervisor, and a procurement graduate.
Reacting to the news, Dee Ryan, CEO of Limerick Chamber, said that the announcement marks and important moment in the story of Limerick.
“We are excited to welcome Verizon to Limerick, a company that is well known and highly regarded in Ireland with over 1,000 employees in Dublin. The decision to locate a Global Centre of Excellence and 400 jobs in the Mid West is a testimony to the availability of skilled talent, high quality commercial space, and the pro-business environment in the region,” she said.
“Verizon’s announcement marks an important moment in the evolving story of Limerick City and we are grateful for their backing. Limerick Chamber is committed to working with the team at Verizon to support them on the journey to success,” the Chamber CEO concluded.
Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney, said: “We should never take for granted an announcement like this one. One of the world’s leading providers of technology and communications services has chosen Limerick for their new Global Centre of Excellence.”
“More than 400 jobs will be generated from this announcement. This is a significant commitment and endorsement of Ireland, and in particular, the skilled workforce in Limerick. I want to thank Verizon for their continued investment in Ireland,” the Minister said.
Limerick Minister of State Kieran O’Donnell added: “This is a great news day for Limerick city centre.”
“I wish to extend a warm welcome to Verizon’s management team and wish them every success with this very ambitious and exciting investment here in the heart of Limerick city centre.
“With Verizon’s Global Centre of Excellence to be located on Bishop’s Quay in Kirkland’s IBQ new state of the art building which overlooks the river Shannon, this is a major endorsement of our city centre by the company,” he concluded.
