In This Article:
St. Patrick's Day is a time to celebrate all things Irish, and that includes Ireland's trade ties to Arizona.
The economic connections aren't as deep here as with many other European and Asian nations, nor in comparison to Mexico, Arizona's top trading partner. But many Arizona corporations have set up shop on the Emerald Isle, and some Irish companies do business here.
The semiconductor connections are especially noteworthy. Two of Arizona's larger public corporations, Microchip Technology and On Semiconductor, both have operations in Ireland.
When representatives of American companies visit Ireland with an eye on possibly selecting sites to do business, "They're often amazed by the types of businesses operating there, the activities involved and the talent," said Ivan Houlihan, a California-based official with IDA Ireland, the Irish government's investment and development agency.
"St. Patrick's Day offers a chance to highlight Ireland on the world stage," he added.
Arizonan companies in Ireland
At least 15 Arizona-based corporations have facilities in Ireland. In addition to Microchip Technology and ON Semiconductor, the list includes transAct, a Phoenix payments and software business, Scottsdale aerospace maintenance and repair firm StandardAero, and Chandler technology-engineering firm MSR-FSR.
Microchip Technology's design center in Cork develops integrated circuits, software, power systems, and more. It is supported by two other offices in Ireland. ON Semiconductor has design centers in both Cork and Limerick.
American companies that set up facilities in Ireland tend to be focused on three industries, Houlihan said. The first is technology, including both software and hardware. The second is the life-sciences field, including medical devices and biotechnology. The third is financial services, including banking and investments.
Ireland sent millions of poor migrants to the U.S. during the 1800s and early 1900s, with many eventually winding up in Arizona to work in mines and agriculture. The country's economy has changed considerably since then, especially in recent decades.
Arizona-based companies employ more than 1,300 people in Ireland, according to IDA Ireland.
Ireland's changing economy
Ireland no longer is a low-cost manufacturing center, Houlihan said. Rather, Ireland appeals to many American companies on the basis of pro-business tax, a skilled workforce and a largely shared culture, he said. It also helps that Ireland is the only English-speaking country in the European Union following the United Kingdom's exit eight years ago.