UNIVERSAL Display Corporation and PPG have today announced that OLED Material Manufacturing Ltd and PPG are embarking on a multi-million-euro capital investment that is expected to create up to 100 high-tech jobs at a new Shannon manufacturing site. The facility, which was announced in February 2021, will broaden the global footprint and increase the production of Universal Display Corporation’s (UDC) energy-efficient, high-performing UniversalPHOLED® materials to meet growing organic light emitting diode (OLED) market demand and evolving industry requirements.
The announcement was welcomed by Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD, who said, “This major announcement by OLED Material Manufacturing and PPG is a welcome boost to the Mid-West region. It will make a significant contribution to Shannon and the Irish economy in terms of job creation, investment and innovation. Technology is one of the fastest-growing sectors here in Ireland and globally, and I wish the team continued success.”
Austin McCabe, Director, OLED Material Manufacturing Limited, said, “Our manufacturing expansion in Ireland allows UDC to strengthen its mission, which centers on enabling our customers and fostering the proliferation of energy-efficient OLED display and lighting applications in the consumer landscape. Leveraging UDC Ireland’s presence, the site’s infrastructure and the Mid-West region’s top-level talent, we are excited about the new Shannon facility. Together with our long-term partner, PPG, this multi-million-euro investment will expand the global manufacturing footprint for UDC’s proprietary state-of-the-art phosphorescent emissive materials to meet the substantial growth forecasted for the OLED market.”
Gerry Cahill, PPG Plant Manager, Shannon, said, “This project will bring a broad spectrum of jobs, a large number of which are highly skilled, to the Mid-West region. PPG has been producing high-performance OLED materials for UDC for the past 20 years. The expansion into Ireland with the addition of the Shannon facility shows confidence in not only the UDC-PPG partnership but also in Ireland as a place in which to invest and do business. In this regard, we are thankful for the support of the Irish Government through IDA Ireland.”
Martin Shanahan, CEO, IDA Ireland, said, “This decision by OLED Material Manufacturing and PPG to invest in Shannon demonstrates the companies’ confidence in the availability of a skilled and talented workforce in the Mid-West Region. This announcement is further evidence of IDA Ireland’s continued commitment to winning jobs and investment for regional locations. I wish OLED Material Manufacturing and PPG every success as they progress with their manufacturing site in Shannon.”
Great news for Shannon and the wider Clare area with the announcement of a multi euro investment by OLED Material Manufacturing Ltd. leading to the creation of 100 high Tec jobs. pic.twitter.com/gZkNBo74Zf
— Timmy Dooley (@timmydooley) July 22, 2021
Welcoming the announcement, Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe said, “It’s wonderful to see another jobs announcement for Shannon today, building on a number of such announcements throughout the year. The Shannon area is the jewel in the Midwest region’s crown and is one of the main drivers for investment and employment here. A large number of these jobs will be highly skilled and the expansion into Ireland means OLED and PPG are showing confidence not only in our country, but particularly in this region.
“2020 and 2021 have been difficult years for us economically so any investment is a strong endorsement of the potential that these global manufacturers see here in Shannon. It goes without saying that having the presence of an international airport just beside these facilities is a major plus for any firm looking to the Midwest region. This is among many reasons as to why we need to ensure continued investment for Shannon Airport.
“The resumption of international air travel for those who can safely do so last week brought an end to the dreadful drought that Shannon was facing and while we are far from out of the woods, it was a welcome relief to see a relatively busy car park there on Monday. The continued success of industries of all kind in Shannon is dependent on the airport, and vice versa. I will continue to be a voice for Shannon within government and look forward today to seeing what OLED and PPG bring to the table.”
PPG is the longstanding partner and exclusive manufacturer of UDC’s UniversalPHOLED emitter materials. OLED Material Manufacturing Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of UDC Ireland Ltd., which is a subsidiary of UDC. Facility renovations and regulatory approvals at the Shannon site are expected to be completed in the next 12 months so that operations can commence in 2022.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.