Testing and inspection business SOCOTEC is planning to more than double its workforce in Ireland by 2030 as it steps up investment in the market.
The group currently employs around 40 people in Ireland across 12 workstreams, with plans to increase that number to 99 over the next four years.
It has up to 10 vacancies in Ireland as part of a recruitment drive spanning engineering, fire safety, environmental services, monitoring, surveying, testing and laboratory work.
SOCOTEC, which employs around 2,580 people in total, said its UK and Ireland headquarters will remain in Burton upon Trent, and that the expansion is not expected to affect the local base.
The investment builds on a series of moves to build upon SOCOTEC’s Irish operations, including the acquisition of infrastructure firm Lloyds Datum Group and the opening of a new Dublin office specialising in structural and fire engineering.
The company also plans further investment in its air and emissions office in Naas, County Kildare.
SOCOTEC has also launched a dedicated Irish website bringing together its services for the market.
Nigel Dillon, Managing Director of LDG Lloyds and LDG Datum, who heads up SOCOTEC’s Irish operations, said: “What we’re seeing is a changing demand from clients who want a single partner that can cover consultancy, engineering, monitoring and testing, without having to piece it together themselves.
“That’s exactly what this next phase of investment into Ireland is designed to deliver. “We’re not only focused on engineering; we’re building out a genuinely holistic technical consultancy offering for the Irish market, and we need more subject matter technical experts who can help bring that to life for our customers.”
Matthew Marriott, Chief Executive of SOCOTEC UK & Ireland, said the expansion was about building a lasting operation led by people based in Ireland.
The company said further services and investment could follow, depending on demand for areas including water flow monitoring and hydrographic surveys.
SOCOTEC operates in 26 countries and serves more than 200,000 clients worldwide.
