Business News

Chinese business creating jobs in Cork for VERDE LED

By Business & Finance
29 October 2013

Cork company, VERDE LED has announced that it plans to recruit for a number of positions as a result of new business in China due to the partnership with another organisation with strong Cork links, PCH International, the Irish-headquartered product development and supply chain company.

VERDE LED who specialise in the design, supply and installation of LED efficient lighting solutions for commercial and industrial applications will be installing an energy efficient lighting programme in one of PCH’s Shenzhen based manufacturing facilities, with work commencing at the end of the October. VERDE LED will also be installing lighting in the PCH innovation centre in San Francisco.

VERDE LED will be recruiting a lighting engineer and a project support person as a result of the Chinese contract, both of whom will be working in the Cork office.  Two further Irish project managers will be recruited to oversee the project in Shenzhen in China.

Director of VERDE LED, John Keohane is excited about the opportunities in China. “We are thrilled with the opportunity to work with Liam Casey and the PCH team on this project. This is just one of 200 manufacturing sites that PCH work with and we can see the huge opportunity that is available to us and we are confident that these contracts will lead to much more business,” he said.

Energy costs are becoming a huge issue in China, Keohane explained: “While China is a generally a low cost manufacturing base, energy costs are in many cases higher than in Ireland and on the rise. Up until now the country has been busy just coping with new business but now they have to look closely at their costs to maintain competitiveness. The energy saving knowledge and disciplines are generally not in place, which is why progressive companies like PCH, with a strong sustainability focus, are taking a lead in this area.”

In terms of payback the economic argument is simple. Energy costs on average are 60% less using LED lighting. In a new build any extra up front cost due to energy efficient LED lighting will be recouped in months. In a retrofit scenario all costs would be recouped in less than two years. After payback significant savings can be enjoyed year after year. Other benefits are reduced maintenance, reduced carbon emissions and better, brighter lights.