A Limerick-based software company is to double employment from 15 to 30 after fending off competition from 13 other companies to access the lucrative US$165m parking market in Chicago.
The jobs are to be created after ParkMagic’s US subsidiary won a deal to implement a mobile parking payment system for the city of Chicago.
The new jobs will be a combination of sales, international marketing, technical support and software development.
“ParkMagic is a shining example of the success which can be achieved by Irish companies on the global stage,” said the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheal Martin TD.
“The company’s parking payments system is the only one of its kind in the world and was researched and developed here in Ireland, which is a tribute to the growing strength of our indigenous research and development (R&D) base.
“I am delighted that Ireland will benefit directly from ParkMagic’s success in the US through the creation of over 15 high-quality jobs and I wish the company continued success as it expands in the US and European market,” the Minister said.
ParkMagic was founded in Limerick in 2005 by Philip Hayes and Paul Fitzgerald. The company opened its US office in 2006 and a UK office earlier this year.
ParkMagic is the world’s first in-car parking permit display system controlled using a mobile phone.
In addition to its US success, ParkMagic is also expanding the availability of its service in Ireland.
Currently available in Limerick City and County and in selected sites in Dublin, Waterford and Cork, it expects to conclude an agreement with local authorities in the near future which will see ParkMagic available throughout all of Ireland’s metropolitan areas.
Using the system, the motorist buys a display unit for their car that they place on the dashboard or windscreen.
When the driver pulls into a parking spot they dial one number from their mobile phone and within seconds the display unit in the car indicates that parking has been paid.
It removes the need for cash and the inconvenience and time taken to use traditional parking systems such as parking meters and parking discs.
By John Kennedy
