US computer giant in £67m deal for city base.

More than 1,700 jobs are to be created in Sheffield by an American-based computer company, it was announced today.

Arizona-based Insight Enterprises, has signed a deal worth £67m to set up its European headquarters in the city.

The news was immediately heralded as the start of the city’s rebirth by council leader Peter Moore.

He said: "This is great news for Sheffield and the result of various agencies pulling together. It shows that attempts to change Sheffield’s image as a place to come and do business is beginning to pay off."

More than a third of the new jobs will be in software engineering, according to Insight. The company has picked Sheffield ahead of sites in Dublin and the Netherlands. Insight, ranked as one of the 100 fastest growing companies in the US, designs and markets specialised computer systems and IT solutions to small and medium-sized businesses in North America, the UK and Germany. It has a turnover of £1.4 billion and employs 3,400 people worldwide. Mike Gumbert, president of Insight Direct Worldwide, said the quality of the workforce in South Yorkshire was a major factor in picking Sheffield.

"Insight is committed to expanding sales throughout Europe utilising our superior business model and Sheffield as our European Hub and headquarters. "We are excited to be part of the Sheffield community and we also look forward to continuing development of our hi-tech businesses throughout the UK and continental Europe. "The talented workforce available in South Yorkshire will be an outstanding addition to our incredibly talented and productive technology teams in the US and Canada."

Insight’s arrival in Sheffield has been brokered by the regional development agency, Yorkshire Forward. Its chairman, Graham Hall said "This is tremendous news for South Yorkshire and the region. This delivers 1,700 jobs – of which 700 will be in high technology. "Insight’s decision to build their European HQ here demonstrates the new confidence that international investors have in Sheffield and in the economic fortunes of the city."

Source Publication: Sheffield Star. 21 March 2001
Last updated: 08/06/01 13:56:00