Manufacturers Service, the US electronics company founded by Irishman Mr Kevin Melia, is planning to go public on the New York stock market in the second quarter and intends to raise about $150 million (€152 million) in the process. Manufacturers Service employs a workforce of 4,000 worldwide, more than 300 of them at its Irish operation in Athlone, Co Westmeath. Mr Melia is thought to own less than 10 per cent of MSL, with the bulk of the shares owned by US investment bank Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette, which is also handling the initial public offering.