Claremorris-headquartered retail tech firm CBE Software is to create 40 new jobs in a R&D-led expansion that will see the company’s workforce expand to 150 people by the end of 2017.
CBE, which was founded in 1980, designs and sells point-of-sale (POS) solutions for the retail and hospitality sectors and is the largest indigenous retail IT player in Ireland.
CBE has grown into a serious export player, with installations in Canada, Australia, the Isle of Man and Algeria and, following significant market research, is preparing to enter the US market.
CBE’s client list includes: James Hall Group (UK), Sewell Retail (UK), Musgrave, SuperValu, Centra, BWG, Spar, Mace, Costcutter, Gala, Spar UK, Louis Fitzgerald Group, Aramark, Elior, Compass, IBM and Bewleys.
‘Innovation through continuous research and development has been the cornerstone of our business’
– GERARD CONCANNON, CBE
“Innovation through continuous research and development has been the cornerstone of our business and it is through this that we have increased our market share in Ireland and significantly grown in our export markets year-on-year,” explained the CEO of CBE, Gerard Concannon.
“The CBE solutions enable our clients to manage their business more effectively and streamline their operations. Our latest software solutions have been hugely successful, primarily in the UK, since they launched last year. We have also recently formed a strategic partnership with NCR to supply self-checkout solutions to the independent retail sector in Ireland and the UK.”
Through its current expansion and development plan, CBE will employ 150 people by the end of 2017.
These roles will be within software development, customer support, sales and service, with the majority of the positions to be filled by graduates. The company has developed very strong working relationships with the institutes of technology in Galway, Sligo and Letterkenny, DCU, the University of Ulster and with NUI Galway.
R&D key to export success
“Enterprise Ireland is committed to working with companies like CBE that utilise research and development to help them innovate and internationalise their products for global market expansion,” said Enterprise Ireland chief executive Julie Sinnamon.
“Their growth and success to date in competing in overseas markets clearly demonstrates the calibre of their software solutions and technology, with the rebound effect of creating more jobs at home and, importantly, in the local region.”
The investment was welcomed by Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD, who said CBE remained loyal to its roots and has brought employment and business to Mayo and the west of Ireland.
“Gerard Concannon and the CBE team deserve enormous credit for what they have created here in Claremorris. Their export-led expansion into markets like the UK ensures that CBE will continue to grow and with plans afoot to enter the US market the future is incredibly bright for CBE, which is a great boost to the local and national economy,” Kenny said.
