CONNECTIONS News fr om
Excellent workforce and lifestyle give Shannon Region competitive edge
the world-
class business campus
The availability of a quality workforce holds the key to the Shannon Region’s strong global impact on the aviation sector currently, according to the head of a Westpark-based firm that celebrates 25 years in business this year. The excellent labour pool, coupled with the region’s strong appeal as a lifestyle location, are also key selling points that can pave the way for a significant expansion of the sector in future years, said Julie Dickerson. South African-born Ms Dickerson is Managing Director of Shannon Engine Support (SES), which is a leading global player in commercial aircraft engine leasing (see separate article). “The Region has developed an incredible level of expertise and experience in the aviation sector as a result of the pioneering work of companies such as GPA and GECAS,” said Ms Dickerson. She also praised the efforts of educational institutions, such as the University of Limerick, and aircraft maintenance firms like Shannon Aerospace in nurturing highly qualified graduates and apprentices. “A rich talent pool of aviation-related skills, ranging from financial services to aircraft maintenance, has been assembled. In the aircraft leasing sector alone, you have financial, legal, taxation, sales, technical and other experts employed,” Ms Dickerson added.
Julie Dickerson, Managing Director of Shannon Engine Support (SES)
The excellence of the region’s labour force, not just in aviation but also in engineering, biomedical and other sectors, is something that merits being promoted strongly. “So too does the appeal of the West of Ireland as an ideal place to live, work, bring up children and enjoy wonderful amenities in a rich community environment,” the SES MD stressed.
Westpark-based SES celebrates 25th anniversary Celebrating 25 years in business this year, Shannon Engine Support (SES) specialises in commercial aircraft engine leasing, particularly of the CFM product line. Located at Westpark Business Campus since 2008, SES experts manage a portfolio of CFM56 engines, comprising its owned fleet and those owned by third-party investors. Together, these engines support more than 120 different airlines, MROs and aircraft lessors worldwide. Technical support, logistics, storage and maintenance of the SES pool of engines are provided by strategic alliances with airlines and MRO shops around the world. Airlines lease some or all of their spare engines for increased operational and financial flexibility and, in response to that demand, SES offers a number of engine leasing options, from short-term products and customised programmes to more standard operating lease products. “Our unique selling point is that by continually investing in a high-quality asset class like the CFM56 and developing an expert team, we’ve built up both the scale and experience to deliver the most efficient solutions, irrespective of airline fleet size,” explained Susan Keating, Senior Vice-President Sales & Marketing with SES. SES is a wholly owned subsidiary of CFM International, a 50/50 joint venture between GE and Snecma (Safran).
Why have companies like Part M Aviation opted for Westpark’s Global Business Centre to enable them to grow? See Pages 2-3.
Read about Pepper’s impressive start at Westpark on Page 4.
NEWS ALERT… U.S. cloud computing company, Arista Networks, has set up its international HQ at Westpark – the next edition of ‘Connections’ will have full details about the latest arrival on campus.
www.westparkshannon.com
Campus Support Services
Offering a menu of supports and onsite facilities, Westpark’s Global Business Centre is a hothouse of business growth.
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Westpark-based Part M Aviation Ireland Ltd has availed of the flexible accommodation options on the campus to move into its own customised office suite.
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Aside from 10,000 sq ft of dedicated, serviced office space with flexible options to suit individual needs, the Westpark facility provides easy and immediate access to: • Extensive conference and meeting facilities • State of the art global ICT connectivity • Other world-class campus facilities, e.g. restaurant, landscaped parkland, Facility Management • Networking opportunities with other like-minded campus companies • Direct links to educational and training resources • Access to state industrial promotion and other agencies • Ease of doing business - one location/contact point
Prestigious/ Strategic Location
Flexible Options
Over the past few years, numerous Irish and multinational enterprises have availed of flexible purpose-designed office accommodation and wide-ranging back-up assistance to grow their businesses. Companies like CAE Parc Aviation and Part M Aviation have availed of the Centre’s unique offering to develop their operations to the point where they were in a position to occupy their own customised units within the campus.
Seamless expansion by Part M Aviation
GLOBAL BUSINESS CENTRE
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The company has recruited additional staff and expertise to meet the continued growth of its client base. This has resulted from increased demand for its Approved Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO) and technical representation services worldwide, plus plans to add complementary Part 21 Design Organisation services to its portfolio. “Our goal is to build a reputation of excellence within the industry. We are delighted that our expert services are in growing demand,” said Mike Byrt, (pictured), Continuing Airworthiness Manager.
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serviced perfect fo un r our need it was set up tw s o years ag when we once we o. Howev ha er, space, W d out-grown this es facilitated tpark managem ent in seamless every way our tr sq ft self- ansfer to a new 1,500 containe d suite, w own mee ith its tin our spec g room, customis ific need s in a mat ed to weeks.” ter of Mike Byr t, Continu ing Airw orthines Manager s , Part M Aviation
Clients include airlines, aircraft and engine lessors, and business jet owners in Europe, Russia and South America. The company recently supported delivery of a newly manufactured G280 Gulf Stream jet. “We also currently have a number of vastly experienced staff in Russia who are ideally situated to cater for our client needs in this key geographic region,” Mr Byrt added.
Part 21 Design Ireland
Now the company is extending its range of aviationrelated services to include aircraft design and modification services for commercial and business jets. A sister entity, Part 21 Design Ireland Ltd, has been established to provide approved repairs and changes associated with interiors, minor avionics work and designs associated with aircraft transitions.
Approval for Part 21 Design Ireland from EASA is currently progressing and is expected to be in place at the beginning of 2014. Heading this group is Mick Malone, who has had extensive senior management experience in major international MRO companies, such as Lufthansa Technik and Mubadala Aerospace.
U.S. - EUROPE COLLABORATION
Prolimax - MBX link-up A new partnership between American-headquartered MBX Systems and Westpark-based Prolimax enables the U.S. company to deliver to its expanding European customer base. MBX Systems designs and manufactures custom server appliances for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and independent software vendors (ISVs). The partnership will enable OEMs and ISVs with hardware program requirements to provide top-tier service to end customers in Europe as well as in North America without dual-sourcing appliance manufacturing on both continents. From its base at Westpark, Prolimax will also handle distribution and reverse logistics services, including cross-shipping, for MBX customers. It will assume responsibility later this year for EU returns’ diagnosis and repair, Tom Hogan, Director, Prolimax said. Carl Nothnagel, MBX Director of Operations said: “Partnering with Prolimax allows us to duplicate our U.S. service capabilities in Europe in a reliable and seamless manner.”
www.westparkshannon.com
Pepper on track for growth at Westpark Pepper Asset Servicing, the Australianheadquartered financial services company, has reported significant progress since establishing a key operations hub at Westpark Business Campus earlier this year. The company occupies a 13,000 sq ft customised office suite at the campus where approximately 110 people are currently employed. “When we sought a suitable base from which to support Patrick Tuttle, CEO and MD of Pepper Group (centre), Paul Doddrell, CEO Pepper Asset our ambitious growth plans in Ireland and Europe, Servicing Ireland (4th from right) and Fraser Gemmell, Pepper Europe (2nd from right) Westpark offered the ideal solution. Our experience to date pictured with the Pepper Asset Servicing Senior Executive team in Ireland (from left): has certainly confirmed that we made the right choice,” said Cameron Matthews, Patricia Dardis, Brian Berg, Grainne Naughton, Orla McCarthy and Chris Helme as the company launched its new offices at Westpark. Paul Doddrell, Pepper’s Chief Executive in Ireland. Pepper has installed a new operational platform as part of the overall investment at its Westpark facility, which will significantly enhance the range of support and services offered to its commercial and mortgage customers. “The excellent facilities at Westpark, have enabled us to hit the ground running. We were able to avail of a complete turnkey solution that included advanced IT infrastructure, office design and fit-out plus customised meeting rooms and canteen facilities,” said Mr Doddrell. Saying that Pepper plans to expand its operations in Ireland and Europe in the coming years, Mr Doddrell said the Westpark facility has a built-in capacity to add another 100 positions, if required. Since establishing in Ireland in September 2012, Pepper has won several new contracts to manage and service significant commercial and residential loan portfolios and assets. The company is a leading provider of third-party loan portfolios, as well as asset management and advisory services spanning a range of asset classes, including residential and commercial mortgages, auto finance, unsecured loans and equipment finance.
Developing closer ties... Westpark companies linked up with key contacts and influencers from the region at a Summer Barbecue held on the terrace of Building 4000, the latest in a series of regular campus networking events.
CHECK OUT WESTPARK ON YOUTUBE A brand new video, highlighting in dramatic fashion, the extent and scale of Westpark Business Campus as a world-class business location can now be viewed on YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RwYI5hnxO8 It can also be accessed through the Westpark website: www.westparkshannon.com Pictured (right) above (from left): Peter Keogh, Keogh Somers Accountants; Gordon Kearney, Director, Limerick Chamber of Commerce; Pat Kearney, Rooney Auctioneers and Brian O’Connell, Managing Director, Westpark Shannon.
Catering for the barbecue was provided by Sage Restaurant. A delicious selection of seasonal dishes is now available in Sage, which is open to the general public as well as campus personnel.
To find out more about locating in Westpark Shannon, visit:
www.westparkshannon.com Contact: T: +353 (0) 61 479111 F: +353 (0) 61 479899 info@westparkshannon.com
Follow us on “Connections” is a publication of Westpark Shannon Limited, the developer of Westpark Business Campus. Note: While every effort is taken to ensure the accuracy of this publication, no liability is accepted for error or omission.
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