During a visit to Dublin on Wednesday, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced the company will add 1,000 additional positions at its international operations in Cork, Ireland, bringing the total number of workers there to 6,000.
The new hires will be related to manufacturing, customer care, finance, and global supply chain management, according to Irish public broadcaster RTE. The positions are expected to be filled by mid-2017, to be located in a new building at the company’s existing Holyhill site in Cork.
Apple has also announced that it is partnering with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to research offshore energy technology. The Cupertino firm also revealed plans to establish a 1 million euro Ocean Energy Industry Fund, to research capturing the energy of waves to power its facilities.
During his visit to Ireland, Cook was recognized by the Philosophical Society at Trinity College Dublin, receiving its Gold Medal of Honorary Patronage. Cook is also set to address Apple employees worldwide via a livestream, says the Evening Echo.
Cork officials touted Apple’s decision, saying the increase in Apple’s activity will help put their city on the map for other corporations who may be considering international expansion.
“When the largest company in the world supporting the best known brand on the planet decides to significantly increase their footprint and investment in Cork,” Minister Simon Coveney reportedly said to the Echo, “it is a signal of confidence and an endorsement in the Irish economy and Cork city as a great place to build an international business.”
Apple currently houses an iMac assembly line at its facility in Cork, which has the honor of being the only Apple-owned manufacturing facility in the world. The Cork facility also handles administration for Apple’s European, Middle Eastern, and African operations.
