Business

Dell said today that it will create 200 jobs in the first phase of its new financial services company in Dublin. Today’s official launch of the Dell bank was attended by Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Minister for Finance Michael Noonan, and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton. Dell was awarded a full commercial bank licence by the Central Bank of Ireland at the end of June. Now, through its customer financing arm, Dell Financial Services, the company will provide direct financing to business customers across Europe from its HQ in Cherrywood Business Park in south Dublin. Dell said it has invested €400m in the roll out of Dell Financial…

Forty year old Irish tree company SAP Nurseries has launched a new online gift business, GiftofaTree.ie at the National Ploughing Championships. The new online venture sells mature trees and includes delivery and planting in its offering. Gift buyers can choose a mature tree from a total of 22 different species such as Wild Cherry, Silver Birch, Norway Maples, Swedish Whitebeams, and Italian Alders. “By embracing the latest advancements in technology and recognising the need to capitalise on the growth in online retailing, traditional businesses, such as ours, have been afforded the opportunity to branch out and develop exciting innovations,” said Tom Walsh, chairman of SAP Group. “The launch of GiftofaTree.ie,…

Provider of business process outsourcing services Stream Global Services is looking to fill 50 permanent and 200 seasonal positions at its facilities in Swords and Santry in Dublin. The new positions will focus on providing technical support solutions for one of Stream’s global clients – a leading name in video gaming systems. Employing a total of 37,000 people in total and headquartered in the US, Stream is a multinational company with a presence in over 22 countries and 55 centres including the two in Dublin. The company will host an open house at its’ Santry location to make it easier for people to explore career opportunities with the company on…

There was a 40pc decrease in the number of businesses failing this month, according to the latest figures from Vision-net. Increase in Business Establishments Figures for August 2013 show that a total of 2,769 companies and businesses were established this month, an average of 106 per day. This represents an increase of 13pc on the same month last year. Less than four companies a day closed this month, with insolvencies down by 40pc compared to the same month last year. Insolvency Statistics Of the 91 companies declared insolvent in August, 43 were liquidated, 46 entered receivership, with just two examiners appointed. When compared to August 2012, liquidations are down 54pc,…

More than 500 jobs will be offered by Irish and international recruiters at Jobs Expo 2013 on 6 and 7 September in Dublin’s Croke Park and on 10 September in Silversprings Moran Hotel, Cork. Thousands of candidates turned up at the last Jobs Expo, which took place in February of this year, and an even greater amount is expected this time due to the high standard of companies confirmed to be recruiting. Among the companies confirmed are: KBC Bank, which is seeking to recruit retail banking operations administrators, personal banking specialists, underwriters, and credit advisers; VM Ware, which is looking for around 15 IT and software developers; and Starwood Hotels…

Manufacturing in the eurozone recached its highest level in more than two years in August. Markit’s Flash Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) showed business activity across the eurozone picked up at a faster pace than expected, with the index rising to 51.7 from last month’s 50.5. A reading above 50 shows expansion, under 50 indicates manufacturing is contracting. The August figure was the highest since mid-2011. “If the eurozone is picking up then that bodes well for the global economy,” said Chris Williamson, Markit’s chief economist. Image by www.shutterstock.com Karina Corbett

Insulation and building solutions company Kingspan has reported a 6pc rise in trading profit to €55.9m on the back of a 13pc hike in revenue to €858.4m for the half year to 30 June 2013. Chief executive Gene Murtagh described this as a “positive performance against a backdrop of weak European economic conditions and a tough winter across many regions.” “Our strategy of positioning the company at the hub of conversion to lower energy buildings continues to enable us to build the business globally notwithstanding the external conditions,” he said. Sorcha Corcoran

Company incorporations in July 2013 are at their highest since 2008, according to new figures from business and credit risk analyst Vision-net. The figures reveal that 1,014 companies were established in July 2013, a 24pc rise on July 2012, when 819 companies were incorporated. This is the highest number of start-ups since July 2008 when 1,028 incorporations were recorded. According to Vision-net, 2,569 companies and businesses began trading in July – an average of over 100 per day –which is down 3pc on the same month last year. Vision-net said he types of start-up businesses developed by entrepreneurs over the last year show very little fluctuation when compared with previous…

Barclays said today that it is planning to raise £5.8bn through an underwritten rights issue. The bank will offer its existing shareholders one share for every four owned at a cost of £1.85. It said this represents a discount of around 40.1pc on the closing price of £309.05 per share on the London Stock Exchange yesterday. The decision follows the introduction by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) of a 3pc leverage ratio target. Barclays’ PRA leverage ratio stands at 2.2pc, representing a gap of £12.8bn. The underwritten rights issue is part of a series of measures designed to achieve the 3pc target by June 2014. “After careful consideration of the…

Aramark Ireland health and wellness ambassador Katie Taylor was on hand to help launch the company’s Right Track Survey into Irish eating habits among its customer base across Ireland. Taylor is working with Aramark to promote its commitment to health and wellness issues under its ‘Right Track’ programme. The business’s food services division currently serves over 250,000 meals every day and the company spends €50m with Irish suppliers. “We are committed to highlighting the importance of nutrition in the area of health and wellness,” said Grainne Kelliher, vice-president food services, Aramark. “ This survey will provide us with further insight into the eating habits of consumers and allow us to…