Tánaiste announces expansion at AMPAC-ISP Dublin

I am delighted with this expansion of AMPAC’s Dublin operation which will see the facility further evolve to play a major strategic role in the AMPAC-ISP group. It will work with its parent company to expand AMPAC’s business in Europe by expanding AMPAC’s aerospace product offering, providing greater access to the European space market and developing new products to meet customer needs. I look forward to continuing AMPAC’s successful relationship with Ireland through IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland and to the ongoing growth of the Dublin facility.

David Gibbons, Managing Director of AMPAC

An Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan TD today (Monday July 20th) announced the establishment by AMPAC (American Pacific Corporation), of their Dublin operation as the AMPAC-ISP Groups’ European Head Quarters with the expectation of 20 new highly skilled jobs over a five year period supported by the Irish Government with the aid of IDA Ireland. AMPAC-ISP Dublin Ltd is one of Europe’s leading companies in the design and manufacture of mission critical structural components for the European Space Industry.

AMPAC-ISP Europe has been awarded a €7.5 million, five-year production contract, with French company Snecma for the provision of structural components for the Ariane 5 Space launcher.   The contract results from R&D funding provided by the European Space Agency, with the support of Enterprise Ireland.

Welcoming today’s announcement, the Tánaiste said, “The creation of 20 high value jobs through the expansion by AMPAC of its Dublin facility and the decision to locate the company’s European headquarters in Dublin, are positive examples of the Smart Economy in action. Ireland continues to be an attractive destination for foreign direct investment because of the consistent focus on R&D and innovation. On behalf of the Irish Government I welcome this announcement by AMPAC which illustrates what can be achieved when an Irish company engages with EU initiatives like the European Space Agency”.

Commenting on the announcement, David Gibbons, Managing Director of AMPAC said,  “I am delighted with this expansion of AMPAC’s Dublin operation which will see the facility further evolve to play a major strategic role in the AMPAC-ISP group. It will work with its parent company to expand AMPAC’s business in Europe by expanding AMPAC’s aerospace product offering, providing greater access to the European space market and developing new products to meet customer needs. I look forward to continuing AMPAC’s successful relationship with Ireland through IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland and to the ongoing growth of the Dublin facility.”

American Pacific Corporation (AMPAC), headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada established in 1955 operates in three business segments: Specialty Chemicals, Fine Chemicals and Aerospace equipment.

In October 2008 AMPAC acquired the European operations of Marotta Controls, Inc., a respected manufacturer of fluid control systems for the aerospace market with two facilities in Cheltenham and Dublin employing 30 people in total. The Dublin operation was originally established by Aer Lingus in 1982 and has successfully developed as a precision engineering company in the manufacture of critical components for the space industry. The Marotta operations are being combined with AMPAC’s thruster business in Westcott, UK facility to provide an internal source of valve components and the ability to provide European designed and manufactured propulsion systems for the European satellite and launch vehicle market with the support of the European Space Agency.

For further information please contact:

IDA Ireland Press Office
Antoinette Tyrrell, Press Officer, Tel: 01 603 4256, Mob: 087 7572053

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Roisin McCann, Tel: 01 631 2222, Mob: 087 259 4144