John Brassil, Chairman, Shannon Development, has just announced that Shannon Development is to proceed with a major expansion at Kerry Technology Park (KTP) in Tralee. The expansion will involve the construction of a new high-tech building at KTP, a 3rd building at the Park. The decision to proceed was taken by the Board of Shannon Development at their board meeting in Tralee, Co. Kerry.
Shannon Development last week secured full planning permission for the new KTP building. Making the announcement, John Brassil, Chairman, Shannon Development said, “We are delighted to proceed with this major development at Kerry Technology Park which will bring a range of benefits to the Tralee area. KTP currently accommodates 17 companies who between them employ over 300 people. These companies generate annual sales of over €60 million and R&D spend of approximately €8.5 million. Our aim is to provide additional space for some of those rapidly growing companies to expand and facilities that will attract new businesses to the area,”
The new building at KTP will be over 26,600 sq. ft. in size and comprise self-contained office suites ranging from 1,480 sq. ft. to 6,648 sq. ft. To-date the Company has invested €11 million in developing the 50-acre Kerry Technology Park.
“This new building is part of Shannon Development’s commitment to North Kerry. By continuing to create a superb working environment where businesses can grow and flourish, we are enhancing Tralee’s reputation as a premier business location and increasing its appeal as a location for new businesses to locate. We believe that the demand is there for the right type of business accommodation and we are confident that Kerry Technology Park will continue to grow,” said Mr. Brassil.
Since it was established in 2001, KTP has proved extremely attractive as a location for both indigenous and overseas companies. One of the Park’s strong selling points is its on-site InnovationWorks facility which specifically designed to stimulate and support the creation of new knowledge-based enterprise. In addition to this is its easy access to resources and expertise at the neighbouring Institute of Technology, Tralee (ITT) also proved to be a winning formula. Industry sectors which are located at KTP include software, telecommunications and Internet services. Among the prominent names at the park are, Altobridge, FreeFlow, Glen Dimplex, PulseLearning, and FEXCO.
“Finding the right people is crucial to the success of any enterprise. Close links between KTP and the Institute of Technology, Tralee, provide a culture of synergy that helps to foster the entrepreneurial environment that is vital to today’s fast growing enterprises. As a result of these links Kerry Technology Park has access to a highly-skilled graduate labour pool. This seamless blending of education and industry is a natural breeding ground for entrepreneurship,” said Mr. Brassil.
The Park has seen three successive finalists in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Alan Scroope of FreeFlow was the 2006 winner, and 2005 winner Jerry Kennelly of the hugely successful Stockbyte Company, which was subsequently bought out by multinational Getty Images for $135m. PulseLearning, short listed for an award in last year’s competition, was among the first companies to move into KTP when we opened in 2001. Since then PulseLearning has grown with the Park and built its profile in the international marketplace.
“Working with our partners at KTP, the Institute of Technology Tralee, we have jointly undertaken a Masterplan which sets out future development for the entire Park incorporating the Institute of Technology Tralee (ITT) campus. We have done this to achieve a seamless integration of the education and enterprise elements of the Park, and the new building will be part of this Masterplan,” says Marie Lynch from Shannon Development who manages Kerry Technology Park.
To achieve this Shannon Development and ITT have collaborated closely on many elements including the physical integration of their respective sites which are located adjacent to one another. KTP and ITT are working on developing the shared space belonging to both bodies into a central plaza which would be used as a recreational area for all companies who work at the location to enjoy.
KTP is a core part of Shannon Development’s group of five Knowledge Network business parks strategically located around the Shannon Region that offer world-class locations for technology-driven enterprises.
The Network brings together three key elements - business, education and innovation to create dynamic and exciting world-class locations for living and working in the knowledge age. The Network has been designed to ensure that the Region can meet the needs of investors and enterprises in the Knowledge Age, and bring together world-class technology parks, business incubation facilities and third level institutions to create truly integrated business communities.
Nandi O’Sullivan
Public Relations Manager
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