Atari Open European Headquarters in Limerick, Ireland 1982

Modern American business technology success story Atari to set up manufacturing company in Ireland. The United States consumer electronics company, Atari, is to establish its European manufacturing headquarters in Limerick. The £10 million investment will create up to 600 new jobs by the end of the year. In the high-risk video games industry, the Atari company could be described as a modern American success story. Atari claims to be the fastest growing consumer electronics company in US business history. The Atari Corporation employs 10,000 people worldwide and the Limerick factory will supply video games for the booming European market. $713 million will be spent on video games products in Europe this year. The growth potential of the European market is enormous. Chairman of the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) Michael Killen rejected suggestions that Atari was just another low-skilled electronic factory and defended the IDA policy on attracting such companies to Ireland. Atari is the world leader... in the area of amusement or games business. This report shows Mr Killeen taking a crash course in video gamesmanship from Atari chief Mr Ray Kassar. An RTÉ News report broadcast on 29 October 1982. The reporter is Michael Walsh.