Official Opening of Netwatch’s new headquarters by An Taoiseach

Speech by the Taoiseach, Mr. Brian Cowen, T.D., at the official opening of Netwatch’s new corporate headquarters and command centre in Carlow, Friday, 30 April, 2010.

A dhaoine uaisle;

Is cúis áthais dom a bheith i gCeatharlach inniu chun ceanncheathrú Netwatch a oscailt go hoifigiúil. Osclaítear ré nua inniu i stair an chomhlachta. Is dea-scéal é ó thaobh fostaíochta de. Déanaim comhghairdeachas le David, Niall agus foireann Netwatch go léir.

It is a great pleasure to be here with you all in Carlow today. I am delighted to have been invited to officially open Netwatch’s new corporate headquarters and command centre. Today, we start a new chapter in the history of a company that has introduced a  eevolutionary technology - based security system into Ireland. I would like to congratulate David Walsh, Niall Kelly and their team on the magnificent job they have done in establishing an internationally successful, high-growth, high potential business here in Carlow.

The story of Netwatch is in many ways a case study in best practice entrepreneurship. It shows, for example, that a good idea doesn’t have to be complicated. The thinking behind Netwatch is relatively simple – remote security monitoring incorporating a public address system. Again, it shows that good ideas can come from thinking about everyday problems. David and Niall wanted to find a way of distinguishing real alarms from false alarms. And, of course, it shows how far belief in your product and an absolute commitment to customer service can get you. Above all, however, the story of Netwatch shows, once again, that Irish entrepreneurs can come up with a great product that make the rest of the world sit up and take notice. David and Neil were acting “smart” long  before we came up with the idea of a  Smart Economy. They are an inspiration for our budding Irish entrepreneurs of the future.

I'm told that Netwatch currently protects the property interests of more than 1,200 blue chip clients throughout Ireland, the UK, mainland Europe, Africa and the US. Your clients are to be found across many industries, including retail, logistics, warehousing, construction and utilities. And you also provide personal protection services to a number of individual clients.

I'm most impressed by the facilities you have here. This state of the art centre will be a great asset to your business, enabling you to provide enhanced services to your clients and positioning the company for future growth, in both the Irish and overseas markets. It is quite an achievement that, only seven years after the company was founded, it has become the security system of choice for so many. And this achievement translates into much needed jobs. Already you employ 70 full time and part–time employees and I am delighted to be able to announce today that a further 50 highly skilled jobs will be created over the coming 18 months. This is great news for Carlow and a good news story for the country as a whole.

Sustaining their business and preparing for the upturn is the key strategic challenge facing our businesses today. Success will be based on the ability to maintain momentum and on continuing to focus on accessing and growing our export markets. Netwatch is a great example of a company which is doing just that.

The entrepreneurial spirit, the ambition and the drive behind Netwatch have rightly been recognised by the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, the PA Consulting Management Awards and the Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards among others. I would like to take this opportunity to commend everybody involved in winning these prestigious awards in such a short space of time.

I'm delighted to see that Netwatch has a strong focus on R&D. This of course, is key to success for any company. The R&D centre has enabled the company to improve its productivity and allowed it to compete more effectively in competitive international markets. I would like to acknowledge the role that Enterprise Ireland has played in supporting the R&D centre. Prior to Enterprise Ireland’s involvement, the company initially received support from Carlow County Enterprise Board. Netwatch shows other small firms working with the Enterprise Boards how ambition combined with technology can result in rapid growth and expansion. I know that Enterprise Ireland will continue to work with Netwatch and support the company as it continues to grow and expand its international customer base. This is an excellent example of co-operation between the State and the enterprise sector and I look forward to seeing it continuing to develop in the years ahead.

This is a very special day for the company. Today’s official opening is the next step for Netwatch in establishing itself as a key player in the global protection solutions market. All of you here today - Directors, Management and staff - can be extremely proud of your achievements to date. I would like to close by wishing you all the best and every success for the future.

Thank you.