Vertiv to create 'at least 200 jobs'

An engineering company that makes equipment for data centres has announced plans to create "at least 200 jobs" as part of a major expansion in the north west.

The roles will be based at its facilities in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, and Letterkenny and Burnfoot, County Donegal, in the Republic of Ireland, over the next six months.

Vertiv said the expansion would help meet growing global demand, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

The firm said the investment reflected confidence in the region.

Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle's Mark Patterson Show on Thursday, Vertiv's delivery execution director Emmett Toland said there was "an immediate need" for 200 people.

He said that could increase to several hundred later this year and that six out of 10 of the roles would probably be based in Derry with the rest in Donegal.

Tolan said the investment would be worth millions of pounds and described it as huge for the region.

"We are offering both full-time and part-time roles, primarily it will be full-time, but it will be both, but we want to be able to reach out to as many people as possible.

"It shows confidence in the people here, we know we have the skill here and the workforce, I have been ten years and it has been nothing but growth."

Vertiv has operated on the island of Ireland since 2021when it bought E&I Engineering, which was founded by Derry man Philip O'Doherty.

Vertiv bought E&I because the electrical switchgear and power distribution systems it makes were complementary to its existing business.

Data centres are effectively warehouses full of computer servers, which are central to the operations of online businesses.

They need a large and constant supply of electricity to operate and cool the servers.

In a statement, Paul Ryan, president of Vertiv in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), highlighted the strategic importance of the investment for both the company and the region.

"This expansion represents a major vote of confidence in the skilled workforce and business environment of the North West region," Ryan said.

Vertiv said demand for electrical switchgear systems had accelerated alongside the growth of AI and cloud computing, placing increased pressure on power infrastructure supporting digital services.

The jobs will be in manufacturing, engineering, quality assurance and support functions across Vertiv's three manufacturing facilities in the region: Campsie in Derry, and Burnfoot and Letterkenny in County Donegal.

The majority of the roles will be for electricians, panel wirers, mechanical fitters and general operators, with both full- and part-time opportunities available.