Cognex Corporation, a leading supplier of machine vision sensors, this week unveiled the expansion of its international manufacturing and distribution centre in Cork.

Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment Micheal Martin TD, Cognex founder Dr. Bob Shillman and John Cleary of JCD Develpments pictured at the opening of Cognex Corporation's international manufacturing and distribution facility in the Gateway Business Park, Cork yesterday. Pic Daragh Mac Sweeney/Provision.

The company, who's Cork operation currently employs 39 people, moved its facility to a new premises at the Gateway Business Park, with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin TD on hand to officially open the new premises on Monday, April 14.

The Cork operation has responsibility for quality control, supply chain management, and the final configuration, kitting, and distribution of Cognex vision systems, sensors, software and ID readers. The devices help automate the manufacture of a broad range of products by inspecting, identifying and tracking items during the production process.

The new 20,000 square-foot facility will be the base for shipping Cognex products to customers in Europe, Asia and Japan. It provides a 53% increase in space on the former premises and is needed to meet growing demand for Cognex products in regions outside of the US.

Minister Martin said, "Cognex Ireland has been very successful to date. This expansion and relocation is excellent news for the company and its workforce in Cork, as it will play an even more strategic role in the company's international business. The success of this facility in meeting the growing demands for its products and providing a more responsive service to international customers were major influences on the decision to undertake this strategic development here.

"IDA Ireland encourages overseas companies to continuously evolve and grow by taking on additional value added activities such as R&D so that companies can keep pace with new technological developments and thereby introduce product and process development improvements. Ireland provides considerable opportunities and support for companies on the scale of Cognex's Irish operation to grow and develop into the future," he concluded.

Dr Robert J. Shillman, Cognex Chairman and CEO, added, "Cognex first opened a manufacturing operation in Cork several years ago in order to provide more responsive service to our international customers. As our international business has expanded, so has the need for increased manufacturing and distribution capacity. This new facility provides Cognex with the capacity to support that growth, and it will help us be even more responsive to our international customers, distributors and partners".

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