Ericsson continuing to plan for move to new Athlone site

Ericsson, Athlone's largest multinational employer, has this week reiterated its intention to move from its Cornamaddy base to a new site in the town.

The company, which employs around 1,300 people in Athlone, said "detailed planning" for the move was continuing, and that further updates would be issued in due to course.

Last December, the Swedish telecommunications firm informed staff in Athlone of its intention to relocate to a "more modern" purpose-built premises at the IDA Business and Technology Park in Garrycastle.

The company said its proposed new home at the IDA park would offer "9,000 square metres of office space across two buildings and three floors", and that the site would be "an inspiring, innovative, attractive, efficient and sustainable" workplace.

Ericsson also said in December that a "detailed architecture design" process for its new premises was getting underway and that it intended to secure "the necessary approvals from the relevant stakeholder boards" during the first half of 2026.

When contacted by the Westmeath Independent and asked to provide an update on the project, Ericsson said this week that the move was still on the cards - but it declined to provide any additional details at this stage.

"The intent remains to relocate," said Denis Dullea, Head of Ericsson’s Athlone site and Network Management Engineering Unit.

"The detailed planning is ongoing, and we continue to keep our staff up to date on the latest progress. I hope to be able to share more information with you at a later stage," Mr Dullea said.

Ericsson has been based in Athlone for the last 51 years, after initially opening as a factory, with 250 workers, in 1974.

In April of last year, the company announced a €200 million investment, over the course of three years in what it described as a pioneering research, development, and innovation project at its Athlone facility.

It emerged in January of this year that Ericsson was commencing a voluntary redundancy programme affecting up to 29 of the 1,350 jobs at its Cornamaddy premises.

Local Minister of State Kevin 'Boxer' Moran said that, notwithstanding the redundancies, the company remained committed to Athlone.

"While any proposed redundancies are deeply regrettable and understandably difficult for those impacted and their families, Ericsson has made clear that Athlone remains central to its future plans, with a record €200 million investment underway in research and development at the company's campus," said Minister Moran in January.