In March 1993, when the first sod was turned at what was to be the Seagate Northern Ireland factory, Seagate understood the importance of investing in innovation to grow an impactful business and product.
Now, over 30 years later, much has changed both in our facility and across Northern Ireland itself, but our commitment to research and development has never wavered.
Seagate is a world leader in data storage and management solutions, but our Springtown factory is recognised as one of the most advanced fabrication facilities in the world and a leader in innovation and R&D. Springtown is central to the operational development footprint of Seagate globally and our 200mm wafer fabrication facility is the largest in the world for making recording head devices. From a small workforce on a 20-acre greenfield to becoming Derry’s largest employer with over 1,300 staff, we have come a long way.
Today, our facility stands as a testament to Northern Ireland’s potential. Our story of growth is demonstrative of how important innovation and investment are for an organisation itself and also the broader region. To achieve our long-term goals and establish Northern Ireland as a global tech hub, it is necessary for leaders to continue this trend, foster a culture of innovation and invest in the next generation.
Growth through innovation
Innovation is a powerful driver of economic growth and investing in R&D can create new industries, improve productivity and help to establish Northern Ireland as a hub for cutting-edge technologies. Through research and innovation, organisations can move towards the future by investing in high-tech sectors.
Our investment in an R&D facility not only has produced world-class products and workforce, but it is also leading the way in advanced manufacturing and research techniques. For the NI facility, over £4bn has been invested since the factory opened in 1993 supporting efforts that will provide the technology and manufacturing capability that service Hard Disc Drive storage solutions of capacities of 30TB and beyond in the years to come. Our focus in recent years has been on ‘smart manufacturing’, an approach that leverages the power of data-driven insights to optimise processes, reduce waste, and unlock new possibilities for innovation.
As the world increasingly relies on data storage and digital infrastructure, Seagate’s contributions to this sector are helping position Northern Ireland as a key player in the tech ecosystem.
Strengthening global competitiveness
To stay competitive in the global economy, Northern Ireland must continue to invest in research and development (R&D), encourage innovation, share knowledge, and collaborate. Global competitiveness depends on how well we adapt and innovate on the international stage.
Our success and progress are testament to this ethos. What started as a local success story is now part of a worldwide network driving technological advancements. The impact of the NI factory goes beyond world leading on-site manufacturing—it provides valuable jobs and helps develop a skilled workforce right across Northern Ireland.
Competitiveness in today’s global economy hinges on having a highly educated, talented team. At Seagate, we’re building an ecosystem that nurtures talent in all areas so we can develop the cutting-edge technologies needed across every part of our business, from R&D to manufacturing.
In this digital age, data is one of the most valuable assets, and Seagate’s leadership in data storage places us at the forefront of global technological innovation. At our Springtown facility, we produce over a quarter of the world’s read-write transducers and play a major role in transducer development. By investing in R&D and staying ahead of technological trends, organisations can maintain their competitive edge and drive progress across industries.
Innovation not only leads to better products and solutions but also fosters a more competitive environment, ensuring that we continue to lead in an ever-evolving global market. A commitment to innovation drives long-term success and keeps Northern Ireland firmly positioned on the international stage.
Investing in the future
As we look toward the next 30 years, the key to sustaining our success is investing in the next generation of talent. Education plays a critical role in this and its essential that we continue nurturing young minds and inspiring them to become the innovators of tomorrow.
Through strong academic partnerships with institutions like Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) and Ulster University, we’re contributing to the future growth of Northern Ireland. Programs like the Centre for Doctoral Training at QUB have already helped train over 70 PhD graduates, who are now driving innovation within our sector.
Beyond academic partnerships, initiatives like Seagate’s internal trainee technician programs, along with our move toward higher-level apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships, offer pathways for young people to enter the high-tech workforce.
Having a presence in Northern Ireland for over three decades, we are now seeing the next generation of families and communities working at our facility, The support and ecosystem we’ve built here have been instrumental in creating long-term opportunities for talent to thrive.
Collaboration for growth
Seagate’s success is deeply rooted in the ecosystem we’ve built with government, academia, and industry partners. For over 30 years, we’ve been at the heart of this collaboration, and it has delivered significant benefits to both Seagate and the entire region – and to ensure our continued growth, it is essential that we continue investing in the future of this ecosystem.
Supporting home-grown success stories is crucial for ongoing progress. Seagate has been fortunate to benefit from government grants, particularly through Invest Northern Ireland (INI), which has played a key role in supporting our R&D and training programs. This partnership has not only helped Seagate thrive but has also reinforced Northern Ireland’s standing as an attractive destination for high-tech investment, positioning the region for future growth.
Seagate is also a lead company within the Smart Nano NI, a Northern Ireland Consortium which was awarded £42.3m from UK Research and Innovation’s “Strength and Places Fund” to push the boundaries of photonics, smart manufacturing and nano technology innovation. This builds upon the shared specialised capabilities around nano manufacturing and world-leading knowledge in photonics.
The future of Northern Ireland’s economy depends on continued partnerships from government, business, academia and other stakeholders to nurture this innovation ecosystem. By continuing to collaborate and invest together, we can drive the region’s success and secure its position as a global leader in technology.
To the Future
Seagate’s 30-year journey in Northern Ireland demonstrates the power of innovation and the pivotal role R&D plays in economic transformation. Our investment in smart manufacturing, sustainability, and talent development has allowed us to play our role in the development and growth of Derry and Northern Ireland. We are immensely proud of our heritage here and we hope to inspire the next generation of innovators.
For Northern Ireland to continue its growth as a global leader in innovation, we must prioritise investment in R&D and the next generation of innovators. By nurturing the skills and talents of the next generation, strengthening academic and industry partnerships, and ensuring the necessary government support, we can build a sustainable, prosperous future that benefits not only Northern Ireland but the world. The success of Seagate and similar companies shows us that with the right investments, the possibilities for Northern Ireland are limitless.
Words by Fergus O’Donnell, VP Wafer Operations NI
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