CONNECTIONS

News from the world-class business campus

www.westparkshannon.com

Spring 2009

Westpark’s world-class business campus facilitiesare set to attract considerable interest frominternational investors following a recent visit froman IDA Ireland delegation.

“The campus is a very important addition to the set of attractionsthat Ireland offers overseas companies,” said Seán Denvir, IDAIreland.

“It offers high-quality accommodation of varying sizes, withexcellent services in impressive surroundings beside ShannonAirport.

“The fact that complete fit-outs are possible for clients within 6-8weeks of deciding to locate is particularly noteworthy,” he added.

Mr Denvir was a member of a 17-strong delegation from 10 IDAIreland offices around the world, from Southern California toShanghai, who were briefed on the campus during a recentfamiliarisation visit to Ireland.

Westpark works closely with the IDA and Shannon Developmentin promoting foreign investment to the Shannon Region.

Picture shows the IDA Ireland delegation with Brian O’Connell,Managing Director and other Westpark executives.

Aviation cluster grows at Wespark

Florida links being explored

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Westpark adds greatly to Ireland Inc. appeal

Serviced offices provepopular with companies

The provision of purpose-built, high-quality serviced offices on flexible licensing termsat 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 locatingin 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 thesecampus 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 emailMargaret@bocholdings.com

*Read about new companies choosing Westpark on Page 2.

IN THIS ISSUE...

Campus to make use ofemerging technologies

St. Patrick’s Day GreetingsThe management and staff of Westpark

Business Campus extend warmgreetings for Ireland’s national day toall its clients, associates and supporters,plus readers of ‘Connections’ newsletter.

4

John Barry (left) and Sean Butler (2nd from right) with Margaret O’Looney and Jason O’Connell, Westpark.

www.westparkshannon.com

INCUBATORSPACE ONTHE WAYAdditional accommodationtailored for start-upenterprises is beingprovided by Westpark, in afollow-up to the very strongdemand experienced todate for serviced office unitsat the campus.

Incubator space ideal forcompanies in the earlystages of development willshortly be available, as partof an additional 20,000 sqft of space being fitted outat the prestigious location.

“The new developmentcoming on stream willfeature quality accommo-dation catering for differentneeds in a very attractiveenvironment, plusconference/meeting roomfacilities,” said JasonO’Connell.

Aviationsoftwaresupplier choosescampus for HQ

Maintenance SupportSystems Ltd, a leadingsoftware supplier to the

aviation industry, has relocated its global HQ toWestpark Business Campus.

The company provides a fully integrated, user friendlysoftware package, called SaSiMS, for aviationMaintenance, Engineering and Inventory forecastingand tracking. The next major release will add thebenefit of an integrated Operation Planning module.

Established in 2000, the company supports its existingprimary client base in Europe from the Irish HQ as wellas managing future business development to add to itscurrent clients worldwide in locations such as Australia,Asia, Africa and Canada.

Its customer base ranges from small operators (bothfixed and rotary wing) up to large commercial airlines.It also serves the executive jet market and the MROsector.

“The ready availability of modern offices, with high-tech communications, in a prestige campus settinginfluenced our decision to relocate the HQ, includingthe Sales and European Support functions, toWestpark,” said John Barry, Business DevelopmentManager with Maintenance Support Systems.

“In our case, the fact that Westpark is alreadyhome to a number of other companies operating inthe aviation industry makes for a very positiveoperating environment.”

Maintenance Support Systems also has offices inSweden, Canada and Australia. For further details visitwww.sasims.com

World leader ParcAviation moves toWestpark

Parc Aviation, the worldleader in the provision ofaviation personnel worldwide,

has relocated its Shannon office to WestparkBusiness Campus.

The company currently has approximately 900 pilots,engineers and technical personnel on assignmentwith over 70 clients, operating 20 different aircrafttypes in over 35 countries around the world. Itsupports airlines, aircraft leasing companies,maintenance repair organisations and aircraftmanufacturers.

“We were attracted to Westpark partly because of thegrowing cluster of companies serving the aviationindustry that are already based there,” explainedSean Butler, Director of Sales & Marketing.

“The world-class facilities on offer at the campuswere 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 otheroffices are located in Tokyo and Beijing. It is a groupbusiness of Oxford Aviation Academy, whichspecialises in ab initio pilot training and aircrafttype/simulator training.

SaSiMS

NEWCOMPANIES

ADD TOAVIATIONCLUSTER A vibrant and

diverse cluster ofcompanies

operating in theaviation sector isgrowing steadily atWestpark BusinessCampus, as more

companies respondto the attractiveaccommodationoffers available at

the campus.

In this edition, wefeature the arrival oftwo such companiesthat complementexisting players,such as GECAS,

Genesis Lease, SESand Piercom.

www.westparkshannon.com

Westpark andAtlantic Way inJacksonville Westpark and Atlantic Way willbe well represented on afamiliarization visit toJacksonville, Florida organisedby a local regional developmentgroup in March.

As part of continuing efforts toforge fruitful international links,they will be taking part inbriefings and meetings withindustry groups from March 22 –26, set up by the CornerstoneRegional DevelopmentPartnership.

Event co-ordinator is Kerry-bornMichael Breen, who is Directorof International Partnership withCornerstone. The Jacksonvillepromotion is designed to be aninternational showcase forJacksonville and NortheastFlorida.

“We are very interested in howthe Florida people are combiningtheir efforts to develop theirregion on an internationalstage,” explained BrianO’Connell, MD of Westpark andChairman of Atlantic Way.

“In addition to developing closelinks with business intereststhere, we are also working withMichael Breen to exploreholding a reciprocal visit thatwould incorporate Westpark,Shannon, Limerick and Galwayregions later in the year,” hesaid.

Update...

Sage Restaurantreflects cultural diversityAs part of its important contribution to the overallambience of the Westpark Campus, the well-appointedSage Restaurant plans to offer a range of cultural menusover the coming months. These will reflect the widediversity of cultures and nationalities representedamongst the workforce on campus.

Naturally, the in-house restaurant plans to mark thelead-up to Ireland’s national feast day on March 17with appetizing Irish dishes as part of this internationalcuisine offering.

Enhanced connectivity from Shannon AirportA number of additionalpassenger servicescoming on stream atShannon Airport in thecoming months willgreatly enhance theAirport’s connectivitywith internationaldestinations.On March 29, Aer Lingus resumes itsdaily Shannon – Heathrow services,operating two return flights to this vitalaviation hub.

CityJet/Air France is to expand its existing successfulservice between Shannon and Charles de Gaulle Paris inMay. The airline is to double its capacity and bring forwardmorning departures to 6.30 a.m., thereby improving furtherthe opportunity for passengers from the West of Ireland toconnect to over 800 international destinations each day.

Air France will base its modern AVRO RJ85 aircraft inShannon and this aircraft will cater for 95 passengers in atwo-class configuration.

BUSINESS BOOSTWelcoming the enhanced services from Shannon Airportbeing provided by Aer Lingus and CityJet Air France, BrianO’Connell, Managing Director, Westpark and Chairman ofAtlantic Way, said they represent a very important boost forbusiness and other sectors in the West of Ireland.

“These services should prove very attractive and convenientfor industries and other interests, and I congratulate theairlines, Shannon Airport management and the IrishGovernment on securing these enhanced connections,” headded.

The Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey, T.D. (left) withGeoffrey O’Byrne White, CEO CityJet at announcement of expanded Shannon-Paris services.

Shannon - HeathrowAer Lingus flights will depart Heathrow at 06.40 and19.10, 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.

Shannon - Paris Charles De GaulleCityJet/Air France flights will depart Shannon at 06.30and 14.50 every day, arriving in Paris at 09.30 and17.55 (local time) respectively. Paris to Shannon flightswill leave CDG at 11.00 and 18.45 (local time), arrivingin Shannon at 12.05 and 19.50.

Briefing for Minister GormleyDetails of progress being made by the Atlantic Way on implementing its Vision 2020document were given to John Gormley, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritageand Local Government during his recent visit to Westpark.

“We briefed the Minister on the key priorities for the region and on current work inprogress, particularly in the areas of marketing and enterprise promotion initiatives,”explained Paul O’Brien, CEO of Atlantic Way.

Mr O’Brien added that Minister Gormley recognised the importance of the AtlanticWay vision and endorsed continued involvement by his departmental officials withthe grouping.

The use of emerging technologies for energy conser-vation are to be a key feature of Westpark’s nextlandmark building and the rollout of subsequentphases.

The campus is incorporating the latest technologies that make itpossible to use the natural external climate to regulate the temper-atures of buildings inside. In this way, the cost of heating and airconditioning will be significantly reduced.

“Our design team is at an advanced stage in planning how toincorporate these technologies into the new buildings,” said BrianO’Connell, Managing Director, Westpark.

“By drawing on, and manipulating, the natural hot and cold air fromthe external climate, we aim to balance out office temperatures forup 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.

Mr O’Connell added that this reduction in the carbon footprint of the campus will be achieved without any diminution of the highquality 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.

To find out more aboutlocating in Westpark Shannon

Visit:www.westparkshannon.com

Contact:T: +353 (0) 61 479111F: +353 (0) 61 479899

info@westparkshannon.com

“Connections” is a publication ofWestpark Shannon Limited, the developer

of Westpark Shannon.

Note: While every effort is taken to ensurethe accuracy of this publication, no

liability is accepted for error or omission.

www.westparkshannon.com

Emerging technologies a key feature offuture Westpark campus expansion

Picture shows the Minister, Mr Gormley (right) being greeted on arrival atWestpark by Managing Director, Brian O’Connell.

Ireland can remain competitive in a difficultglobal economic climate by harnessing thetalents of its excellent labour force, according tothe organiser of a major national seminar to beheld at Westpark Shannon in April.

Speaking about the ULearning Skillnet Network’snational seminar on ‘Future Skills for EnterpriseCompetitive Growth’ on April 30, Network Manager DrIngrid Hunt said that full interaction betweeneducation and industry is crucial to achieving thisobjective.

“The Westpark event will highlight the benefits ofproperly training and upskilling workers to cater forrapidly changing market needs.

“By integrating the first-hand knowledge andexperience of industry practitioners with the academicexpertise and know-how of educational institutions,Ireland can make the most of its human resources in

the workplace and also ensure new entrants areequipped with the right skills,” she said.

The Westpark event on April 30 will feature keynotepresentations by a number of leading industry figuresfrom 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 "TheEconomic Impact of Upskilling".

Other speakers include Mark Fielding, CEO, Irish Small& Medium Enterprises (ISME), Alan Nuzum, ChiefExecutive, Skillnets, and Brian O' Connell, ManagingDirector, Westpark Business Campus and Chairman ofAtlantic Way. The event will be chaired by MikeDevane, Partner Quilly Consultancy.

For further information on the seminar or to booka place for the event, contact ULearning Skillnet at061 708835 or email info@ulearning.ie

Westpark Seminar on April 30to chart Ireland’s futurecompetitiveness

Closer Silicon Valley links – watch this space!Watch out for news shortly on someimportant developments aimed atintensifying links between Westpark, theShannon Region and Silicon Valley. Thisfollows close ties developed with the IrishTechnology Leadership Group (ITLG) andSilicon Valley companies last year at aDublin seminar (as highlighted in last issue).

Limerick man John Hartnett is a key figure indeveloping these beneficial links. Now withG24i in Cardiff, Wales, John regularly stops

off in the Region on his regular commutesbetween San Jose and Cardiff to meet withfamily and friends. He holds regulardiscussions with Westpark executives duringthese visits, as well as fitting in a game ofrugby at Thomond Park.

ITLG involves a voluntary group of dedicatedsenior executives of various companies inSilicon Valley interested in promotingopportunities for business expansion inboth California and Ireland.

* Westpark will berepresented at thenext ITLG SiliconValley seminar dueto be held inStanford University,California in earlyApril. For furtherdetails on this event,check outwww.itlg.org John Hartnett