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The Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation, John Perry T.D., today [Wednesday] officially opened Valeo Vision System’s expanded facility in Tuam Co. Galway.

Valeo Vision Systems, which is part of the Valeo Group, one of the world’s leading automotive suppliers, designs and manufactures multi camera systems for the automotive industry.

The company announced a major expansion and Research and Development (R&D) programme in January this year. The expansion included an investment of €17M and the creation of 100 new highly skilled jobs.

Today’s opening marks the completion of the extended facilities to support this R&D growth together with optimisation of the manufacturing capability of the site.

Opening the new facility, Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, John Perry T.D., said, ‘I am delighted to be here today to open this exciting new expansion facility. Valeo Visions Systems has been here, in Tuam, since 2007 and over that period has forged strong ties not only with the local community but also with the region due to its collaboration with NUI Galway’s Connacht Automotive Research (CAR) Group, an exciting collaboration that is of benefit to both the company and CAR. I would like to offer the full support of the Irish Government to Valeo in this endeavour as it continues to develop and manufacture its cutting-edge products and grow its operations here.’

Product Line Director Fergus Moyles said about the expansion ‘Today’s opening is a milestone in providing the infrastructure to support our leading position in vision technology globally. Our 2011 R&D growth plans included the addition of 100 engineering roles. We have so far recruited 60% of these roles. We are very proud of the centre of excellence we have created in Ireland and look forward to continued growth”.

Commenting on the opening, Barry O’Leary, CEO, IDA Ireland said, ‘Valeo Vision Systems is an excellent example of a company that continues to undergo significant transformation. Transformation of this nature further embeds company operations and is of the utmost importance to their continued success in Ireland as outlined in the Agency’s strategy Horizon 2020. Today’s opening combines Research and Development and high-end manufacturing, which are both key target activities for IDA Ireland. I would like to wish Valeo Vision Systems every success with this expansion and offer the continued support of IDA Ireland into the future.’

Valeo Vision Systems currently employs 460 at the Tuam facility of which 150 are in R&D.