Client News > Release

30-04-2010

Taoiseach Officially Opens New Corporate Headquarters of Netwatch

April 30th 2010: The Taoiseach, Mr. Brian Cowen, T.D., today officially opened the new Corporate Headquarters and state of the art Command Centre of Netwatch in Carlow and announced the creation of 50 new jobs by the company.

Netwatch is an award winning protection services company which provides real time remote security monitoring to businesses and private residences in Ireland and internationally. The new HQ and command centre is located in a former Irish Sugar premises and represents an investment of more than €5m by the company.   

This investment includes the establishment of a dedicated Research and Development centre, which has been supported by Enterprise Ireland. Up to eight employees will focus on the development of new software applications and more intelligent transmission equipment and site hardware to ensure Netwatch remains a technological leader in protection systems. In total, 50 new jobs in Operations and R&D will be created over the next eighteen months by the company, bringing total employment to over 120 people.

Speaking at the official opening, the Taoiseach, Mr. Brian Cowen, T.D. welcomed the decision of Netwatch to invest in research and development in the current economic climate and said the investment was "closely aligned to the Government's agenda in relation to innovation."

"Significant investments in research and development are critical if we are to foster innovation in Ireland. Netwatch is a dynamic and energetic company, driven by innovation and commercialisation, and it is exactly the kind of company that we want in Ireland as we build our Smart Economy and strive to recover  from our current economic difficulties," said the Taoiseach.

David Walsh, Managing Director of Netwatch, said: "This is a very strong statement of intent by us as a company in the Carlow region. Our first innovation was in exploiting an idea - creating a safer and better way of providing security - and in identifying the revolutionary systems, which would allow us to bring such a technology to the Irish market".

"The new R&D centre in Carlow, which has been supported by Enterprise Ireland, will allow us to continue to innovate with new applications and new technologies, which will better protect our customers and their properties. This investment will position us for future growth not only in Ireland but in overseas markets and will afford us the opportunity to pursue larger and more complex contracts," said Mr. Walsh.

"We are currently in advanced negotiations with the London Olympics to provide protection for critical communications infrastructure at the 2012 Olympic Games.  We have developed a unique wireless protection product for remote communication masts which is currently being trialed at several locations. Securing contracts such as these is what will ultimately make Ireland’s vision of being an innovation led economy a reality," he said.

Michael Moriarty, Enterprise Ireland said: "Enterprise Ireland’s strategy is to promote the development of innovative world-class Irish companies and support them grow to achieve strong positions in global markets. Netwatch is a prime example of such a company". 

"Enterprise Ireland is working closely with Netwatch to support their continuing development. With their focus on innovation as a key driver of their international growth strategy, they have successfully carved out their own place in global markets, driving jobs and export sales growth at home," said Mr. Moriarty.

Established in 2003, by David Walsh, Managing Director and Niall Kelly, Director of Technology, Netwatch currently employs 70 staff and was the first company in Ireland to combine specialist video transmission technologies with satellite communications to provide safe, preventative, immediate and cost effective protection solutions for clients.

The Netwatch system is a "next generation" asset protection solution, which deploys the most advance protection technologies including GPS tracking, audio visual detection, personal protector equipment and wireless perimeter security cordons to protect individuals and premises.  

The entrepreneurial spirit of the company has been recognized by the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, the PA Consulting Management Awards and Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards among others.

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