Portugal Fujitsu creates over 400 new jobs in Northern Ireland

Fujitsu Services, one of Europe’s leading IT services companies, has announced today the establishment of a new Managed IT Services Centre of Excellence in Northern Ireland with the creation of over 400 new jobs. The centre is a new build property located in Timber Quay, Londonderry, and is where the majority (328) of the jobs will be created. Fujitsu’s investment at the new Centre of Excellence is just over £18m. Invest Northern Ireland (INI) has been invaluable in the creation of these new job opportunities with £5.65m of investment being awarded to Fujitsu by them.

On top of the 328 new jobs in Derry, over 74 positions are being created at Fujitsu’s current office in Belfast taking the total employed by the company in Northern Ireland to over 800.

David Courtley CEO of Fujitsu Services said: “This is a significant step for Fujitsu and Northern Ireland, and builds on over 30 years of working and investing in the area. Derry has an advanced local infrastructure, the availability of an IT focused labour market and a very close proximity to the UK/European marketplace which made it an ideal choice. The jobs being created at the new Centre of Excellence will encompass a broad spectrum of specialist high quality IT services roles.”

The new Fujitsu facility will deliver managed IT services into Fujitsu’s growing European customer base as well as to those across the UK.

Leslie Morrison, chief executive, Invest NI added: “The infrastructure and highly skilled staff available here makes Northern Ireland one of the most competitive locations for global companies wishing to service European markets. Invest NI is committed to developing the specialist software sector and this latest investment by a company of Fujitsu’s international standing sends out a strong message that Northern Ireland is now a serious contender in the global software market.”

During the first phase of the development at Derry 50 jobs will be established during 2007. The remaining jobs will be fulfilled during the next two years as the centre grows with the aim for it to be fully operational by the end of 2009. The office in Derry is at Timber Quay on Strand Road where Fujitsu will be taking three floors. The official opening of the building is planned for August 2007.