FAZTech aims to create 25 new jobs in Dublin through R&D investment

More than 25 new jobs may be on the cards for Dublin as photonics player FAZTech Research, which already employs 26 people at its photonics R&D lab in Dublin, intends to double the size of its operations as its first products roll out and it intensifies its R&D efforts.
 
FAZTech is majority owned by Dutch multinational Fugro NV and over the past two years has built up a photonics R&D centre in Dublin that has quickly grown to employ 26 people with the support of IDA Ireland.
Over 2013/2014 further investment and anticipated roll-out of first products will drive further growth that could lead to a doubling of staff over this time frame.
Fugro’s expertise are used in applications such as seismic surveys and gas and oil exploration and in recent days the company won a US$26m deal with major French oil company Super to in its exploration for hydrocarbons off the coast of Angola, which involves the provision of offshore positioning systems and navigation systems.
Measuring the future
Fugro is investing and supporting FAZTech Research Ltd as its global centre for the development of next generation optical and photonic technology for sensing and measurement applications and solutions.
Sensing technology is critical to Fugro and the proposed technology development represents a step change and a major shift away from current mechanical and electronic technology. The company expects rapid development in the area of optical and photonic technology for sensing and measurement applications and solutions, and foresees further strong growth for the centre as a result.
The company is going to expand to a new base at Park West in Dublin and anticipates academic and industry partnerships with organisations in Ireland, the US and the EU.
Projects in the pipeline also include collaboration with the Beaufort Laboratory UCC located at the IMERC Campus in Ringaskiddy, the National Sensor Centre in DCU, Tyndall Research Institute in UCC, the Eindhoven Technical University and the University of Central Florida.
“We decided to locate in Ireland as key intellectual property was developed in Ireland by Irish researchers and engineers, the vision and enthusiasm of the current workforce and the outstanding professionalism and support by IDA Ireland,” said Paul van Riel, chairman of the Management Board and CEO of Fugro.
Innovation Minister Sean Sherlock TD said FAZTech is a great example of how Ireland’s investment in the European Space Agency is assisting a growing number of Irish high tech companies in supporting technology innovation, leading to export sales and increased employment.
IDA Ireland CEO Barry O’Leary added that the investment by FAZTech “provides further proof that Ireland is a highly attractive location to carry out sophisticated research and development initiatives.”