By Business & Finance 
Celebrating 50 years
Founded on the 18th July 1968 by Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore, the Intel Corporation is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and as a result of their ongoing successes, their commitment to Ireland – employing 4,900 staff here – and this great milestone, have been chosen as Business & Finance’s FDI of the Month for July 2018.
Intel’s history and innovations
Intel’s main business is core processors with founder Robert Noyce a key inventor of the integrated circuit or microchip. The other co-founder, Gordon Moore, originated Moore’s Law – the observation that the number of transistors on a chip doubles every year, while the cost typically halves – and which is still proving true. Intel got off to a great start when contracted by Japanese company Busicom to create 12 specialised chips for their calculator, the company was able to create a single integrated chip astounding Busicom and setting the path for the micro-processor.
Intel in Ireland
Intel established an Irish base in Leixlip, Kildare in 1989 and has since invested almost €14 billion in Ireland creating the most advanced industrial campus in Europe. Getting Intel to come to Ireland was a huge coup at the time and the relationship between the company and country has continued to grow and flourish in the intervening years. In the company’s time in the country they have focused on cutting-edge research and design and have made significant contributions to their own site and to the larger economy:
- €921 million contributed to the Irish economy annually
- Nearly 10,000 full-time equivalent jobs supported
- €3.9 billion spent on Irish labour
- €187 million spent on Irish suppliers per year
- Over €3 million contributed to Irish communities in the past five years
In 2000 Intel Shannon opened which is Intel’s embedded communications group in Europe, and in 2003 Intel opened the Intel Innovation HQ in Leixlip. The Irish arm of the company has been home to some key innovations and inventions such as:
Intel Galileo: Designed in Ireland, the Galileo was developed over three years by a team of 70 people. It was designed for the maker and education communities. It was the first Intel product exclusively designed and developed in Ireland.
Advanced microprocessors: Intel’s Shannon base designs advanced microprocessors for use in embedded computing, comms and storage. In 2009 a €51 million R&D expansion was announced.
Digital innovation: The Innovation Open Lab is focused on energy, sustainability and cloud services. It is involved with open research and innovation opportunities in Europe. The focus is to expand Intel’s R&D across Europe.
Manufacturing: The Product Development Engineering Team takes part in test solutions for Intel semiconductor circuits such as microprocessors, chipsets and consumer and embedded electronics.
The company has also acquired McAffee (internet security tech), Aepone (network and cloud tech) and Havok (gaming techonology).
Looking to the future
Eamonn Sinnott – Intel Ireland General Manager and Vice President of TMG, speaking of the impact Intel has had globally and in Ireland, said:
On July 18, Intel celebrated its 50th anniversary, marking a half-century of innovation that has profoundly changed the world. I am really proud to see what Intel has achieved over those 50 years and especially of the role that Intel Ireland has played in that success over the last 29 years. From our base in Leixlip we have delivered world class performances enabling the production of Intel’s leading edge technology for customers worldwide. This has only been possible through the dedication and hard work of everybody involved. This milestone is an important moment to celebrate our legacy, while looking ahead to what’s next.
