A £3.5 million investment in a Dublin company is expected to lead to more than 150 new jobs. The company, Walsh Western, is opening a logistics centre at its premises in the Western Business Park.

The Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Mr Bruton, is expected to announce the precise job number when he officially opens the centre this morning. The investment is being supported by Forbairt, the organisation charged with developing indigenous industry.

It is understood that the centre has been located in Dublin, although there was considerable competition from other overseas locations. The centre will manage information technology, materials flow and procurement.

It will also manage Western's satellite operations in Scotland, Holland, Belgium and Germany as well as a planned new facility in the US.