How many jobs are being cut at HP’s Irish site in Leixlip, Co Kildare? – here’s what we know
Hewlett-Packard employed as many as 4000 people in Ireland at their height here
HP Inc has left 500 of their Irish staff distraught after they announced the facility was closing.
They used to be part of a much bigger company, but it split a few years ago.
But who are they? Here's what we know...
Who are Hewlett-Packard?
Hewlett-Packard was a large American IT company based in California, which in 2015 split into two different companies.
The smaller companies are called HP Inc and Hewlett-Packard enterprise.
While HP Inc continued it's computing and printing business, Hewlett-Packard enterprise focused more on cloud computing software and services.
How many people do they employ?
Hewlett-Packard Enterprise is thought to employ 136,000 people worldwide, while HP Inc is smaller at around 40,000 employees.
In October last year HP Inc announced they would cut three to four thousand jobs globally over the next three years.
What do they make in Ireland?
Both companies employ people in the areas of manufacturing, research and development, customer software support, marketing, and sales and services.
Prior to the split, HP's main offices were in Leixlip, Co Kildare.
Now, HP Inc's Leixlip plant is involved in inkjet cartridge manufacturing and research and development.
Their coming departure means their workforce in Ireland will drop by 500.
Hewlett-Packard enterprise also employ people in Leixlip but they say jobs will not be affected by HP Inc's cuts decision.
When did HP set up in Ireland and how many people do they employ?
HP first set up base in Ireland in 1995 and then gradually came to employ 4000 staff here.