Winter 2009
CONNECTIONS News fr om
the world -class business campus
VIP TIER 1 GLOBAL CONNECTIVITY visitors AT WESTPARK Companies locating at Westpark Business Campus can now avail of cutting-edge Tier 1 global ICT connectivity. The availability of this state-of-the-art fibre link makes available an additional resilient fibre connection from the local ESBT station to the Campus, in partnership with Clare County Council and ESB Telecoms Ltd. This will connect into the national fibre optic network, providing virtually unlimited wavelength and bandwidth capacity. Westpark Shannon, with its strong base of existing telecom partners, already offers direct fibre connectivity into the Campus through diverse and resilient national fibre routes, with international connectivity to most of the major cities in Europe and the USA through the international Tier-1 carriers. “We are delighted to work with Westpark in the provision of this vital piece of infrastructure,” said Tom Bambury, General Manager, ESB Telecoms. “Our mission is to offer the very best telecoms infrastructure to businesses in Ireland and, in this regard, we see Westpark as a shining example of how to meet the sophisticated needs of modern enterprises of all sizes in securing direct connectivity with their global markets,” he added. Clare County Council welcomes the opportunity to work with Westpark in the provision of this important infrastructure, which will benefit not just Westpark but other local businesses, said Ger Dollard, Director of Services – Community & Enterprise, Clare Co. Council. Members of the Illinois- Ireland Lawmakers Exchange delegation on a tour of the Westpark Business Campus accompanied by Brian O'Connell (right), Managing Director, Westpark Shannon.
See details of other VIP visitors and events at Westpark on Page 4.
IN THIS ISSUE
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Two more companies relocate to Westpark
Jason O’Connell, Property Commercial Manager, Westpark Shannon said the company will be happy to outline specific details of the new facility to potential tenants. “State-of-the-art ICT infrastructure is just one element of the world-class services on offer to companies of all sizes at the Campus,” added Jason. ESB Telecoms, a subsidiary of the ESB Group, provides a nationwide fibre optic network throughout Ireland. It also owns and manages over 300 telecommunications towers and sites on which all major Irish telecommunications companies have substantial installations. Its customers include all the mobile phone operators, the Irish Government, licensed operators and wireless internet services providers.
Campus company launches new product
Season’s Greetings to all our readers
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Westpark gains new recruit Irish Recruitment Consultants (IRC) is the latest firm to join the growing ranks of companies that have opted to relocate their offices to Westpark Business Campus. Established in 1984, IRC is one of Ireland’s leading providers of recruitment and staffing solutions. With offices also in Dublin, it offers solutions across many sectors, from financial services, insurance, accountancy, sales and marketing to technical engineering, hospitality, industrial and secretarial/administration. IRC also provides various add-on services, such as psychometric testing, job profiling and matching, outsourcing and outplacement, to clients. “We chose Westpark as our preferred relocation base because of the excellent office accommodation, with comprehensive ancillary services, which was available for lease on competitive terms,” said Michael O’Connor, IRC. “The campus also provides us with a prestigious business address that adds greatly to our reputation nationally,” he added.
AVIATION CLUSTER GROWS AT WESTPARK The cluster of aviationrelated companies based at Westpark Business Campus has grown further with the announcement by Aero Inspection International Ltd of its decision to relocate its headquarters to the campus. The move comes following a period of significant growth for the company, which expects to continue its expansion at Westpark in the coming years.
damage, repair it and provide a report and video to the customer. The engine is then certified for return to service. Aero Inspection has a dedicated team of inspectors available to travel worldwide and provide such a service.
Aero Inspection is a European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approved provider of video borescope inspections and boroblend repairs on CFMI, GE, Rolls Royce and Pratt & Whitney Aero Engines. The company primarily serves MROs, airlines and the leasing community.
“We are very much looking forward to making the move to Westpark,” said Aero Inspection’s Operations Manager, Mr. Peter Bagnell.
Using the latest technology, an engineer can inspect the jet engine internally, access any
“Established in 2004, the company hopes to continue to grow its market share and to provide a high quality service to all its customers worldwide,” he added.
ON THE LOOKOUT FOR OFFICE SPACE?
Discover… a winning business location! Westpark Business Campus offers tailored space of varying sizes, from 250 sq ft to 100,000 sq ft, including: • SERVICED OFFICE SUITES • SHELL AND CORE SPACE
• WARM FIT-OUT SUITES • CORPORATE HQ
Join the growing number of leading companies from various sectors now located at Westpark.
061 479111 or email molooney@westparkshannon.com www.westparkshannon.com
For a tour of the facilities, telephone
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ATLANTIC WAY SHOWCASES IRISH COMPANIES IN FLORIDA A trade delegation of companies from the Atlantic Way Region recently showcased their products and services to a potential market of 1.5 million people in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida - one of the fastest growing business areas of the world. The delegation was led by Brian O’Connell, who is Chairman of Atlantic Way and Managing Director of Westpark Shannon. The hosts for the visit were the Cornerstone Regional Development Partnership. Earlier this year, Cornerstone had partnered with Atlantic Way in bringing a high-level business delegation from Florida, led by the Mayor of Jacksonville, John Peyton to Westpark and Galway. Companies participating in the recent Jacksonville promotion were Limerick companies ManageCO2, (Software), EdWare, (Software) and Irish Myth Dolls, and PacNet Services, Shannon (Payment processing services).
Shannon Development, the regional development agency for the Shannon Region, was also represented. PacNet are to set up an office in Jacksonville in early 2010, marking the first success for Atlantic Way in facilitating investment by Irish companies into the US. While in Jacksonville, the Atlantic Way delegation explored new market opportunities and trading links with local interests. They were briefed on major infrastructural and other projects in Jacksonville, including the Cecil Commerce Centre and Jacksonville Port. The delegation also pointed out the attractiveness of Ireland as an investment location to Jacksonville companies seeking to establish a presence in Europe.
Investment in landscaping reflects continued commitment to excellence Recently completed landscaping works at the summit of Westpark Business Campus mark the first phase of a major investment programme, which will eventually transform this spectacular setting into an exciting parkland. A substantial capital investment on this overall landscaping programme will incorporate the provision of meandering walkways and nature trails linking the buildings within a verdant drumlin landscape.
Specimen trees and shrubs, specially selected to suit the new setting, will be planted shortly. A tranquil pond area, along with other features of focus and interest, are also being professionally designed to provide a unique natural setting. Extensive tree planting has already taken place on the main approach route to the campus summit. “We see these landscaping works as a very important part of providing firstrate business facilities within an excellent Campus environment,” said Brian O’Connell, Managing Director, Westpark. “Our objective at Westpark is to create the best possible working environment for international industry leaders and indigenous Irish enterprises, and we are singularly committed to fulfilling this objective despite the current difficult economic climate,” he added.
LinkResQ launches new product LinkResQ Ltd, a company based at Westpark Business Campus, recently launched a new software tool, called ‘CalQrisk’, on the Irish market. This software is a risk assessment tool that helps companies to calculate the level of risk in their organisation. The software was developed at Westpark and is based on the principles of the new ISO 31000 Risk Management standard. Gerry Joyce, risk director of LinkResQ, is a member of the international ISO committee that drafted the standard, which was approved in October and will be published by the end of the year. Gerry chairs the NSAI Risk Management consultative group, a large group of Irish risk professionals, who are drafting the guidelines for the implementation of the new standard in Ireland. A major conference on Risk Management and the ISO 31000 standard will be held at Westpark on March 5th next – contact gjoyce@linkresq.ie for further details. An essay by Gerry Joyce on Risk Management was included in a recent edition of the newsletter published by the Institute of Risk Management (IRM), the leading international education and training body for Risk Management.
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Westpark the place to be… Westpark Business Campus was the focus of national and international attention in recent months as various groups toured the facilities or held important events there.
and His Excellency P.S. Raghavan, Indian Ambassador to Ireland. Westpark is also proving to be a very popular venue for meetings and events being organised by business and other groupings. Two Aviation Forums were staged, involving experts and decision makers in the interconnected fields of aviation business, education, training & joint ventures. Enterprise Ireland held a very successful ‘International Markets Week’ at the campus. This involved indigenous industry promoters from many regions of Ireland meeting up with marketing staff from the agency’s offices worldwide.
Among recent VIP visitors to the campus were a delegation from Illinois-Ireland Lawmakers Exchange; His Excellency Oyvind Nordsletten, Norwegian Ambassador to Ireland (pictured above on right with Brian O’Connell, Westpark)
organisations along Ireland’s western corridor, held its regular meetings and forums at the campus during the year. These included highprofile visits by delegations from Jacksonville and Northeast Florida. The Minister for Defence, Willie O’Dea T.D., presented Advanced Craft Certificates to 105 crafts people from throughout the mid-west region at a FÁS ceremony in Westpark. A ULearning Skillnet Network seminar on the theme ‘Ireland’s Future – Innovate Together’ held at Westpark attracted CEOs and senior managers of multinational organisations and SMEs, plus academia.
A special Regional Enterprise Week, organised by Enterprise Ireland in conjunction with local County/City Enterprise Boards, was also launched at Westpark. Atlantic Way, the group comprised of key influencers and
Celebrate Christmasat Sage Restaurant The well-appointed Sage Restaurant at Westpark is an ideal Christmas lunch venue for staff working in the wider Shannon Free Zone, Airport and Town complex or individuals and groups seeking a local dining setting with a difference.
At the ULearning Skillnet seminar: (L to R) Noreen Fitzpatrick, Programme Support Manager, Skillnets Ltd; Dr. Brendan Cleary, Senior Research Fellow, Enterprise Research Centre, University of Limerick; Sue Davies, ULearning Technical Co-ordinator; Dr. Chris Coughlan, Senior Manager, Hewlett Packard, Galway; Dr. Ingrid Hunt, ULearning Network Manager, Enterprise Research Centre, University of Limerick; Mike Conroy, Senior Director, CISCO Galway, and Chris Kurjan, Creative Director, Innovation Delivery.
A varied menu, with a special Seasonal flavour, is on offer over the coming weeks at the restaurant, which is open to the public Monday to Friday.
Sage t
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stauran
The Mayor of Clare, Cllr Tony Mulcahy with Senator Louis S Viverto, Majority Caucus Whip, a member of the Illinois delegation that visited Westpark.
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
For further information or reservations,
telephone 061 479111 or email wpkrestaurant@westparkshannon.com
Seasonal gesture to those in need The management and staff of Westpark Business Campus extend warm Seasonal greetings and thanks to all its clients, associates and supporters through the medium of the ‘Connections’ newsletter. This year, Westpark has decided to extend a Seasonal gesture of goodwill by making a donation to Croí, the West of Ireland Cardiology Foundation. It is confident that this gesture reflects the wishes of all concerned at this festive time.
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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.