More than 1,700 high-quality jobs are to be created in Sheffield by June 2007 following the decision by a leading American computer direct marketer to invest more than Ј67m on its new European headquarters in the city. More than one-third of these will be in the booming industry of software engineering.

Arizona-based Insight Enterprises, Inc. ("Insights"), ranked by Fortune Magazine as one of the 100 fastest-growing companies in the United States, has chosen Sheffield ahead of Southern Ireland and the Netherlands following months of intensive work by Sheffield First for Investment and its partners in convincing the company of the merits of South Yorkshire.

The company has a turnover of $2bn and employs a total of 3,400 people. The Company, through its subsidiary, Insight Direct Worldwide, Inc., is a leading global direct marketer of computers, hardware and software, primarily to businesses in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Germany.

The investment is the largest-ever single inward investment into Yorkshire and the Humber. It marks the first stage in Sheffield First for Investment's strategy with its partners, to develop a world-class ICT/digital cluster intended to attract other high-tech companies and creating tens of thousands of jobs in this fast growing industry.

Graham Hall, Yorkshire Forward Chairman said the project would have a national impact. "This is tremendous news for South Yorkshire and the region. This delivers 1,700 jobs - of which more than 700 will be high-technology - in an Objective One area which will clearly help start to re-ignite the South Yorkshire Economy."

The jobs will be created in an area containing some of the country's highest long-term and youth unemployment of more than 25% and the investment is expected to raise South Yorkshire's Gross Domestic Product by Ј50 million a year.

Insight's development will also kick-start South Yorkshire's involvement in the new e-economy by raising skills levels, encouraging more firms to trade on-line and generate technology startups. Sheffield First for Investment has been involved with the enquiry since early 2000 to help the company meet its requirements in Sheffield.

Mark Gumbert, President of Insight Direct Worldwide, said:
"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 developments of our high tech businesses throughout the United Kingdom 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 United States and Canada." Bob Kerslake, Chief Executive of Sheffield City Council said: "Sheffield's turned a corner. We're attracting world-class employers drawn by the skills the city can offer. This is a very proud day for the city and for the people of Sheffield."

Insight will build its new European headquarters in Sheffield, although an exact location has not yet been determined. The company also has existing operations in the UK, PlusNet Technologies Limited ("PlusNet"), an Internet and Applications Service Provider employing 110 people in Sheffield and Insight Direct (GB) Limited, a direct marketer of computers and computer-related products, based in Worksop. Insight will develop a high-tech software development function in Sheffield, including software development, programming and web-based design and an outbound service and sales centre for selling computers, hardware and software.

Source Publication: Yorkshire Post. 21 March 2001
Last updated: 17/04/01 11:04:00