Netgear announces creation of new software centre of excellence in Cork 

THE CHIEF technology officer at Netgear has announced the creation of a new software centre of excellence in Cork, an initiative on which IDA Ireland’s technology department is working closely with the company.

Speaking during the official launch of Netgear’s new €4.75m international headquarters at Penrose Dock today, Martin Westhead said the new software centre of excellence will act as a central hub to lead the company’s global software engineering capability that will be responsible for the development of its premium experience and value-added services.

Netgear has pioneered advanced networking technologies worldwide for nearly 30 years, and established its headquarters in Cork in 2006.

At that time, the company launched with a focus on finance and customer operations, but Mr Westhead said it has always been the plan to one day take advantage of “the strong tech pool in Cork and build a local software team”.

“Cork sits between India and the west coast of the United States,” said Mr Westhead. “You could truly say that it’s at the centre of the world, and with a strong talent pool from two universities and the draw of talent from across the EU, it’s a natural choice for our new software hub.”

He said the company is “proud” to be part of the community at the heart of the Victorian Quarter and the city’s regeneration efforts.

Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney was also in attendance to officially open the new international headquarters, which he described as “the highest quality office accommodation, arguably, in the country”.

“This new facility in Penrose Dock presents a major vote of confidence for your Irish operations and it’s also a significant endorsement of the talent, the skill, the innovation, and the teamwork that is being built here in Cork,” said Mr Coveney.

He said that Cork continues to grow, with the IDA now supporting over 210 companies employing more than 50,000 people.

IDA Ireland executive director Mary Buckley said: “Netgear is a longstanding member of the south-west’s established technology cluster.

“The addition of a new software development centre of excellence is welcome news, adding a strategic function to the Cork-based team.”