Spring 2009
CONNECTIONS News fr om
the world -class business campus
Westpark adds greatly to Ireland Inc. appeal
Westpark’s world-class business campus facilities are set to attract considerable interest from international investors following a recent visit from an IDA Ireland delegation. “The campus is a very important addition to the set of attractions that Ireland offers overseas companies,” said Seán Denvir, IDA Ireland. “It offers high-quality accommodation of varying sizes, with excellent services in impressive surroundings beside Shannon Airport.
IN THIS ISSUE...
2
Aviation cluster grows at Wespark
3
Florida links being explored
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Campus to make use of emerging technologies
St. Patrick’s Day Greetings The management and staff of Westpark Business Campus extend warm greetings for Ireland’s national day to all its clients, associates and supporters, plus readers of ‘Connections’ newsletter.
“The fact that complete fit-outs are possible for clients within 6-8 weeks of deciding to locate is particularly noteworthy,” he added. Mr Denvir was a member of a 17-strong delegation from 10 IDA Ireland offices around the world, from Southern California to Shanghai, who were briefed on the campus during a recent familiarisation visit to Ireland. Westpark works closely with the IDA and Shannon Development in promoting foreign investment to the Shannon Region. Picture shows the IDA Ireland delegation with Brian O’Connell, Managing Director and other Westpark executives.
Serviced offices prove popular with companies The provision of purpose-built, high-quality serviced offices on flexible licensing terms at Westpark Business Campus (as announced in the Winter edition of ‘Connections’ newsletter) has attracted very strong interest. “We received many solid enquiries from clients keen to explore the benefits of locating in a well-equipped business campus,” said Margaret O’Looney, General Manager, Westpark. “A number of companies have decided to base their operations here and avail of these campus amenities while keeping overheads to a minimum,” she said. To find out more, telephone +353 (0)61 479111 and ask for Margaret O’Looney or email Margaret@bocholdings.com *Read about new companies choosing Westpark on Page 2.
www.westparkshannon.com
NEW COMPANIES ADD TO AVIATION CLUSTER A vibrant and diverse cluster of companies operating in the aviation sector is growing steadily at Westpark Business Campus, as more companies respond to the attractive accommodation offers available at the campus. In this edition, we feature the arrival of two such companies that complement existing players, such as GECAS, Genesis Lease, SES and Piercom.
INCUBATOR SPACE ON THE WAY Additional accommodation tailored for start-up enterprises is being provided by Westpark, in a follow-up to the very strong demand experienced to date for serviced office units at the campus. Incubator space ideal for companies in the early stages of development will shortly be available, as part of an additional 20,000 sq ft of space being fitted out at the prestigious location. “The new development coming on stream will feature quality accommodation catering for different needs in a very attractive environment, plus conference/meeting room facilities,” said Jason O’Connell.
World leader Parc Aviation Aviation moves to software supplier chooses Westpark campus for HQ
Parc Aviation, the world leader in the provision of aviation personnel worldwide, has relocated its Shannon office to Westpark Business Campus. The company currently has approximately 900 pilots, engineers and technical personnel on assignment with over 70 clients, operating 20 different aircraft types in over 35 countries around the world. It supports airlines, aircraft leasing companies, maintenance repair organisations and aircraft manufacturers. “We were attracted to Westpark partly because of the growing cluster of companies serving the aviation industry that are already based there,” explained Sean Butler, Director of Sales & Marketing. “The world-class facilities on offer at the campus were also a crucial factor in our relocation.” Services provided by Parc Aviation include: • Flight crew personnel leasing/placement • Technical support services, including provision of aircraft engineers, mechanics and technical specialists • Aircraft ferry flights • Executive search and selection services, e.g. provision of aviation post holders, management personnel and consultancy services worldwide Parc Aviation’s head office is in Dublin, and other offices are located in Tokyo and Beijing. It is a group business of Oxford Aviation Academy, which specialises in ab initio pilot training and aircraft type/simulator training.
Maintenance Support Systems Ltd, a leading software supplier to the aviation industry, has relocated its global HQ to Westpark Business Campus.
SaSiMS
The company provides a fully integrated, user friendly software package, called SaSiMS, for aviation Maintenance, Engineering and Inventory forecasting and tracking. The next major release will add the benefit of an integrated Operation Planning module. Established in 2000, the company supports its existing primary client base in Europe from the Irish HQ as well as managing future business development to add to its current clients worldwide in locations such as Australia, Asia, Africa and Canada. Its customer base ranges from small operators (both fixed and rotary wing) up to large commercial airlines. It also serves the executive jet market and the MRO sector. “The ready availability of modern offices, with hightech communications, in a prestige campus setting influenced our decision to relocate the HQ, including the Sales and European Support functions, to Westpark,” said John Barry, Business Development Manager with Maintenance Support Systems. “In our case, the fact that Westpark is already home to a number of other companies operating in the aviation industry makes for a very positive operating environment.” Maintenance Support Systems also has offices in Sweden, Canada and Australia. For further details visit www.sasims.com
John Barry (left) and Sean Butler (2nd from right) with Margaret O’Looney and Jason O’Connell, Westpark.
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Enhanced connectivity from Shannon Airport A number of additional passenger services coming on stream at Shannon Airport in the coming months will greatly enhance the Airport’s connectivity with international destinations. On March 29, Aer Lingus resumes its daily Shannon – Heathrow services, operating two return flights to this vital aviation hub.
The Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey, T.D. (left) with Geoffrey O’Byrne White, CEO CityJet at announcement of expanded Shannon-Paris services.
CityJet/Air France is to expand its existing successful service between Shannon and Charles de Gaulle Paris in May. The airline is to double its capacity and bring forward morning departures to 6.30 a.m., thereby improving further the opportunity for passengers from the West of Ireland to connect to over 800 international destinations each day. Air France will base its modern AVRO RJ85 aircraft in Shannon and this aircraft will cater for 95 passengers in a two-class configuration.
Shannon - Heathrow Aer Lingus flights will depart Heathrow at 06.40 and 19.10, arriving Shannon at 08.00 and 20.30. Return flights leave Shannon at 08.45 and 21.10, arriving Heathrow at 10.15 and 22.25.
BUSINESS BOOST Welcoming the enhanced services from Shannon Airport being provided by Aer Lingus and CityJet Air France, Brian O’Connell, Managing Director, Westpark and Chairman of Atlantic Way, said they represent a very important boost for business and other sectors in the West of Ireland. “These services should prove very attractive and convenient for industries and other interests, and I congratulate the airlines, Shannon Airport management and the Irish Government on securing these enhanced connections,” he added.
Shannon - Paris Charles De Gaulle CityJet/Air France flights will depart Shannon at 06.30 and 14.50 every day, arriving in Paris at 09.30 and 17.55 (local time) respectively. Paris to Shannon flights will leave CDG at 11.00 and 18.45 (local time), arriving in Shannon at 12.05 and 19.50.
Sage Restaurant reflects cultural diversity As part of its important contribution to the overall ambience of the Westpark Campus, the well-appointed Sage Restaurant plans to offer a range of cultural menus over the coming months. These will reflect the wide diversity of cultures and nationalities represented amongst the workforce on campus. Naturally, the in-house restaurant plans to mark the lead-up to Ireland’s national feast day on March 17 with appetizing Irish dishes as part of this international cuisine offering.
Briefing for Minister Gormley Details of progress being made by the Atlantic Way on implementing its Vision 2020 document were given to John Gormley, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government during his recent visit to Westpark.
... Update
“We briefed the Minister on the key priorities for the region and on current work in progress, particularly in the areas of marketing and enterprise promotion initiatives,” explained Paul O’Brien, CEO of Atlantic Way.
Westpark and Atlantic Way in Jacksonville Westpark and Atlantic Way will be well represented on a familiarization visit to Jacksonville, Florida organised by a local regional development group in March. As part of continuing efforts to forge fruitful international links, they will be taking part in briefings and meetings with industry groups from March 22 – 26, set up by the Cornerstone Regional Development Partnership. Event co-ordinator is Kerry-born Michael Breen, who is Director of International Partnership with Cornerstone. The Jacksonville promotion is designed to be an international showcase for Jacksonville and Northeast Florida. “We are very interested in how the Florida people are combining their efforts to develop their region on an international stage,” explained Brian O’Connell, MD of Westpark and Chairman of Atlantic Way. “In addition to developing close links with business interests there, we are also working with Michael Breen to explore holding a reciprocal visit that would incorporate Westpark, Shannon, Limerick and Galway regions later in the year,” he said.
Mr O’Brien added that Minister Gormley recognised the importance of the Atlantic Way vision and endorsed continued involvement by his departmental officials with the grouping.
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Emerging technologies a key feature of future Westpark campus expansion The use of emerging technologies for energy conservation are to be a key feature of Westpark’s next landmark building and the rollout of subsequent phases. The campus is incorporating the latest technologies that make it possible to use the natural external climate to regulate the temperatures of buildings inside. In this way, the cost of heating and air conditioning will be significantly reduced. “Our design team is at an advanced stage in planning how to incorporate these technologies into the new buildings,” said Brian O’Connell, Managing Director, Westpark. “By drawing on, and manipulating, the natural hot and cold air from the external climate, we aim to balance out office temperatures for up to 40 weeks of the week. This will result in savings of up to 30% in the cost of air conditioning and heating,” he said.
Picture shows the Minister, Mr Gormley (right) being greeted on arrival at Westpark by Managing Director, Brian O’Connell.
Mr O’Connell added that this reduction in the carbon footprint of the campus will be achieved without any diminution of the high quality working environment at Westpark.
A briefing on these novel environmental plans was given to John Gormley, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, when the Minister visited the campus during a fact-finding tour of the Region.
Closer Silicon Valley links – watch this space! Watch out for news shortly on some important developments aimed at intensifying links between Westpark, the Shannon Region and Silicon Valley. This follows close ties developed with the Irish Technology Leadership Group (ITLG) and Silicon Valley companies last year at a Dublin seminar (as highlighted in last issue). Limerick man John Hartnett is a key figure in developing these beneficial links. Now with G24i in Cardiff, Wales, John regularly stops
off in the Region on his regular commutes between San Jose and Cardiff to meet with family and friends. He holds regular discussions with Westpark executives during these visits, as well as fitting in a game of rugby at Thomond Park. ITLG involves a voluntary group of dedicated senior executives of various companies in Silicon Valley interested in promoting opportunities for business expansion in both California and Ireland.
* Westpark will be represented at the next ITLG Silicon Valley seminar due to be held in Stanford University, California in early April. For further details on this event, check out www.itlg.org
Westpark Seminar on April 30 to chart Ireland’s future competitiveness Ireland can remain competitive in a difficult global economic climate by harnessing the talents of its excellent labour force, according to the organiser of a major national seminar to be held at Westpark Shannon in April. Speaking about the ULearning Skillnet Network’s national seminar on ‘Future Skills for Enterprise Competitive Growth’ on April 30, Network Manager Dr Ingrid Hunt said that full interaction between education and industry is crucial to achieving this objective. “The Westpark event will highlight the benefits of properly training and upskilling workers to cater for rapidly changing market needs. “By integrating the first-hand knowledge and experience of industry practitioners with the academic expertise and know-how of educational institutions, Ireland can make the most of its human resources in
the workplace and also ensure new entrants are equipped with the right skills,” she said. The Westpark event on April 30 will feature keynote presentations by a number of leading industry figures from both the multinational and indigenous sectors. These will include Rory O' Connor, Managing Director, HP Ireland, who will speak around the theme of "Strategic Investment in Future Skills" and Chris Clark, CEO, BT Ireland who will discuss the theme of "The Economic Impact of Upskilling".
John Hartnett
To find out more about locating in Westpark Shannon
Visit:
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T: +353 (0) 61 479111 F: +353 (0) 61 479899 info@westparkshannon.com
Other speakers include Mark Fielding, CEO, Irish Small & Medium Enterprises (ISME), Alan Nuzum, Chief Executive, Skillnets, and Brian O' Connell, Managing Director, Westpark Business Campus and Chairman of Atlantic Way. The event will be chaired by Mike Devane, Partner Quilly Consultancy. For further information on the seminar or to book a place for the event, contact ULearning Skillnet at 061 708835 or email info@ulearning.ie
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“Connections” is a publication of Westpark Shannon Limited, the developer of Westpark Shannon. Note: While every effort is taken to ensure the accuracy of this publication, no liability is accepted for error or omission.