Coca-Cola Opens New Premises in Drogheda, Ireland

The two new Coca-Cola operations at Southgate in Drogheda employ over 200 people in skilled positions in areas such as finance, supply chain, IT, legal and human resources, all supporting Coca-Cola’s global operations. The new offices are 58,000 sq. ft and allow room for expansion.

The ultra-modern and energy-efficient building was opened by Fergus O’Dowd, T.D., Minister at the Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources, who was joined by Mr. Harry Anderson, Senior Vice President, Global Business & Technology Services, Mr. Fred Yochum, Vice President, Commercial Products Supply and other senior personnel and employees of The Coca-Cola System. The event was also attended by local elected representatives as well as those from the community, voluntary and business sector.

Minister O’Dowd, officiating at the event said: “I am delighted to officially open Coca-Cola’s Global Business Shared Services Centre in Drogheda today. This centre is a further endorsement of Ireland as a prime location for strategic business services activities.

Coca-Cola in Drogheda adds greatly to the local economy and offers excellent employment opportunities. On behalf of the Irish Government I would like to thank Coca-Cola for its continued investment here and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship.”

Mr. Anderson referred to Drogheda as the "ideal location for international services".

Commenting on the Global Business Shared Services Centre, Barry O’Leary, CEO of IDA Ireland, said “Coca-Cola is a prestige brand name and a strategically important client of IDA’s. Its decision to locate key international business functions in Drogheda is hugely significant and endorses our ability to attract global services activity to Ireland, as outlined in our strategy Horizon 2020.”

Jaguar Land Rover to Produce Highly Efficient Engines in Staffordshire

After an 18-month tendering process, the i54 development site in Staffordshire has won the bid for Jaguar Land Rover’s new £355m advanced technology low emission engine plant.

The plant will be on the 220 acre business park, part of the newly created Enterprise Zones, and will join companies like Moog, Goodrich Actuation Systems, HS Marston Aerospace, and Tinken UK.

The new Jaguar Land Rover site will cover 130,000 sq m and incorporate two linked buildings consisting of a machining hall, assembly hall and ancillary offices. The construction of a new £36.7million Council-funded slip road from the M54 motorway to the site is also part of the deal and ready to commence.

"As part of our long-term strategy for the JLR business, we will design, engineer and manufacture a new family of advanced engines,” said Dr Ralf Speth, Chief Executive Officer at Jaguar Land Rover. “This is a major commitment for our company and we will produce these advanced, highly-efficient engines for future Jaguar and Land Rover models at a new facility in the UK.”
JLR will invest £1.5 billion annually on new product developments for the next five years, expanding their engine range and further exploiting the global potential of the Jaguar and Land Rover brands. “The all-new family of 4 cylinder engines will increase JLR's capability to offer high performance engines with class-leading levels of refinement, whilst ensuring continued significant reductions in vehicle emissions," added Dr Speth.

In addition to the site being a boost to the UK manufacturing industry, it will also create nearly 1,000 jobs. Councillor Ben Adams, cabinet member for economic growth and enterprise, said, “One of the key components of our offer as a destination for Jaguar Land Rover was the graduate workforce from our universities in Staffordshire and the wider region.”

Mike Wright, Executive Director at JLR, added, "I would like to pay tribute to the strong support we have received for this project from our key partners. The constructive and collaborative support we have received from the Government, our trade union colleagues, Local Authorities, local MPs, and of course our employees, has been crucial in enabling us to reach this very significant decision."

Rolls-Royce - 3 New Advanced Manufacturing Plants, Rotherham

Plans for three new Rolls-Royce factories in the Waverley Advanced Manufacturing Plant have been approved. These plans are a major boost for the local area that has a particular strength in advanced manufacturing. The investment is a step towards securing continued growth in manufacturing throughout the United Kingdom, a cornerstone policy in the Government’s plans to stimulate the economy.

The first factory is expected to start production in early 2013 “This is obviously only the first step in Rolls-Royce’s exciting plans, and sets in motion the development of yet another piece of the Advanced Manufacturing Park jigsaw,” said Councilor Gerard Smith.

Rolls-Royce does not seem to have been affected by the economic crisis; the group’s half-yearly report for 2011 showed a 28% increase in underlying profit before tax, with £8.7 bn of new orders creating a record order book for the company of £61.4 bn. The group's long-term strategy aims to double its total revenue in the next decade, through organic growth.

Nuclear

One of the factories on the site will be used to assemble power vessels for the next generation of UK nuclear power stations. Should plans proceed smoothly, it is expected that the first of the new vessels will be delivered in 2015. Detailed proposals regarding the facility, which is part of the company’s ‘Project PoWer’ initiative, are to be received in early 2012. 

As well as providing nuclear power to the UK, Rolls-Royce has operations worldwide, and was awarded a 20 year contract with the Dukovany nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic in February this year.

Aerospace

A second factory has been earmarked for the production of fan blades for the aerospace sector, as a sister factory to one currently in operation in Derby. At the height of the recession in 2009, the aerospace sector achieved growth of 5.4%, and currently employs approximately 100,000 people across the UK. The resilience of this industry is based primarily upon its export market, and if the UK’s current market share can be maintained, the industry would be worth an estimated £352 bn over the next 20 years, should growth targets be reached.

Both the nuclear and aerospace industries have also proven to be resistant to the effects of the recession, at a time when there is talk of a possible ‘double dip’. These two factories alone are expected to create up to 360 jobs. The third plant may also be used by Rolls-Royce or let to another occupier, possibly one of the firm’s suppliers.

Denis MacShane, MP for Rotherham added; "The decision of Rolls Royce to come to Rotherham and invest in the Advanced Manufacturing Park facility is a payback for the investment in creating this unique facility over the last ten years. It opens a new chapter in South Yorkshire's history as one of the world's engineering centres, and is good news for a new generation of workers."

France Launches Drive to Attract 2012 Olympic Visitors

Various districts of Northern France are going head-to-head with the UK in a bid to attract tourists seeking accommodation for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

With the majority of hotels and other accommodation providers in London and the South East already fully booked for the duration of the Games, authorities in the Cote d’Opale region are looking to take advantage of their close proximity to the UK.

There are 70000 beds available in the Cote d’Opale area, in hotels, campsites and holiday cottages. Some hotels are priced at €62 per night, compared to €110 in London and the South East.

Tourists who decide to stay in the area will be close to Eurostar connections in Calais and Lille, meaning they are a maximum of 90 minutes from the centre of London. The journey from Calais is just 60 minutes.

A network of greeters will be on hand, to meet visitors at local airports, seaports and train stations, and show them the sights of Cote d’Opale.

Notable tourist attractions in the region include the 800-year-old Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Saint Omer; Nausicaa, The French National Sea Experience centre; the Battle of Dunkerque Museum; and more than 100 miles of beaches.

There are also five casinos, six golf courses, and 17 shopping centres, as well as 30 sporting centres with facilities for various sports including gymnastics, horse riding, football and basketball.

Cote d’Opale Developpement was established in 2005 by four economic development agencies, covering the areas of Boulogne sur Mer, Calais, Dunkerque and Saint Omer.

The organisation’s main objective to promote investment opportunities on the Cote d’Opale. It also provides free customized assistance to companies and investors looking to locate or expand their business into the region.

The organisation will be exhibiting at the World Travel Market event at ExCeL London from November 7^th to 10^th. Sharing the stand will be the tourism boards of Boulogne sur mer, Calais, Dunkerque, Saint-Omer, Pas-de-Calais Tourism and Boulogne and le boulonnais region tourism.

Representatives will be available at Stand EM1300 for more information.

Media enquiries should be directed to Locations4Business on 0207 183 4588 or richard.swancott@locations4business.com.

£13.5M Boost for Jobs in Carmarthenshire

Work on a new business park in Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire – which could eventually create over 1000 jobs – can now proceed after the Welsh Government announced a major financial backing.

A package of grants amounting to £13.5m will be used to install infrastructure, including a new access road from the A48, a new internal road, and utilities and landscaping of the site, which is close to Heol Parc Mawr and Gorslas.

Outline planning applications for offices, business incubation units, a hotel, a central business hub, an energy centre and other facilities for the park has already been lodged, and those behind the project claim it could eventually be home to more than 100 businesses.

Regeneration minister Huw Lewis said: "The development of this site will boost the region's economy by creating an accessible and high-quality environment to ensure businesses succeed, attracting further investment and leading to more job opportunities."

The Welsh Government is giving £9 million to the project, including money from the Western Valleys Regeneration Area, the European Regional Development Fund and a transport grant, while scheme manager Carmarthenshire Council is investing £4 million.

Councillor Clive Scourfield, the council's executive board member for regeneration, called it a "significant boost" for the county.

He said: "Our aim is to build on the strategic location of the site and ensure that Carmarthenshire will have employment land of the highest quality to attract investment and provide jobs in future.

"Despite difficult economic times it is vital that we develop the sites to accommodate future business investment and expansion."

Those promoting the new employment park hope it will attract green businesses that find and sell their goods and services locally.

They believe that having enough of these businesses in one place will mean the park will have a lower than average carbon footprint, produce less waste and see more rubbish recycled.

Barcelona Reacts to Shifts in Commercial Property Market

Companies choose efficiency over prestigious city centre addresses.

Reports from commercial property estate agents show that demand has moved from city centres to new economic areas that are generally located on the outskirts of large cities. In the same line, a sizeable number of larger companies that were located in the centre of Barcelona have taken advantage of modern developments located in these new areas.

According to reports, nearly two thirds of new leases signed in Barcelona in 2010 were for premises in new business areas over more central locations, with a notable upwards trend in the first quarter of this year. In these new economic zones, companies have found affordable cutting-edge services, property and infrastructure, as well as accessible public transport.

The choice to move to these zones has also been influenced by the greater flexibility of spaces available, with tailored options and imaginative solutions that help save ongoing costs and decrease moving expenses, while increasing worker productivity and efficiency.

Companies that have selected these new environments have prioritised attributes like efficient use of space and energy savings over the traditional criteria of location and prestigious addresses.

Another draw of these new areas is the activity concentrated in them, with specific sectors and clusters where companies work together, carry out research and share services - further reducing costs. This cluster dynamic provides easy access to talent and networking with professionals from the same sector, as well as integrating the different stakeholders that foster innovation: technologically advanced companies, universities and life-long learning centres, and research and technology transfer centres. Therefore, the favourable environment becomes the centre of the value chain, which fosters knowledge synergies, innovation processes and allows for increased competitiveness of the whole business fabric.

Catalonia and Barcelona are strongly committed to this model, which centres on economic growth based on the innovation and creativity that is firmly established in the knowledge economy.

The Barcelona Economic Triangle (BET) project, led by the Government of Catalonia and the Barcelona City Council, is made up of three large areas (Besòs, Llobregat and Vallès) that form a huge ‘economic triangle’ and bring together strategic sectors of activity, like nanotechnology, information and communication technology, medical technology, energy, mobility and aerospace, among others.

Barcelona-Catalonia to be presented at ExpoReal as southern Europe's main centre for innovation.

This is the third year running that the Catalan Government and Barcelona City Council have jointly participated in ExpoReal to publicise the BET project. The aim is to promote projects relating to land for economic activities within the Barcelona wider area to an international market, and to showcase some of Catalonia's more innovative business opportunities.

Visit us at Expo Real at the stand A2 410.

For further information, contact Susanna Collado on +34 935 541 984 or scollado@parcdelalba.cat

Gamesa Set to Make Dundee Centre of UK Wind Industry

Wind turbine developer Gamesa wants to bring a ‘significant’ number of jobs to Dundee by developing a hub for manufacturers and related businesses in the area.

The Spanish-based wind energy specialists are working with Scottish Enterprise, Dundee City Council and Forth Ports plc to create a centre for manufacturing, logistics, operations and maintenance activities at the port.

The centre would form part of a £145m investment by the company in offshore wind power in the UK, which also includes the creation of a £45m offshore technology centre in Glasgow.

Chairman of Gamesa Jorge Calvet said: “Our plans in Glasgow and the potential for Dundee could generate significant local, skilled and sustainable jobs over the coming years.

“I would like to recognise the support and commitment from the Scottish Government and its development agencies during the ongoing discussions around these investment plans.”

Gamesa is also looking for a site for a turbine blade production plant in the UK.

Gamesa is a world leader in the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of wind turbines, with around 21000MW of installed capacity in 30 countries on four continents, and over 13600MW under maintenance.

The company also has 30 production facilities in Europe, USA, China and India and over 7200 employees worldwide.

For further information, contact Mark Barton from Clyde Waterfront on +44 141 229 5423 or m.barton@clydewaterfront.com

Major Event to Launch Massive Calais Logistics Project

A huge development which will transform Calais into one of the biggest logistics gateway in Europe is to be officially launched at the end of September.

Economic development agency Calais Promotion, in partnership with developers DCB International, has organized the September 29th event, which is designed to provide more detail on the 160 hectare project, and a special Dover-Calais hot air balloon crossing to mark the occasion.

Two branded balloons, featuring the logos of Calais for Success and Calais Premier, will leave Dover in the morning and, weather permitting, arrive in Calais at 1030, just in time for the official start of the launch.

Chaired by Mayor of Calais Natacha Bouchart, the launch will be attended by Didier Caudard-Breille (chairman of developers DCB International), Philippe Blet (chairman of Cap Calaisis Terre d’Opale) and 100 senior executives from major European freight and logistics companies.

Natacha Bouchart said: “This is the first phase of one of the largest logistics projects in northern France.

“It includes the construction of 220,000 square metres of logistics warehouses and 50,000 acres of land of storage assemblies around the future rail spur.

“In the end, the ‘Turquerie’ will be a larger platform than the multimodal platform of Dourges.”

The Calais Premier project, which is centred on the industrial Turquerie business park, is expected to bring in up to £264m (€300m) of investment from companies in the logistics, distribution and automotive manufacturing sectors.

Alongside this £1.8m (€2m) will be spent creating a railway junction at the site and modernizing the Calais-Dunkirk railway line, and a further £350m (€400m) will be invested doubling the size of the Port of Calais.

Developers DCB International believe the entire project will be completed by 2015, and will create thousands of jobs.

Ends

Notes to Editors:
Locations4Business is the leading online resource for companies to find information on where to locate operations in Europe.
Calais Promotion is the economic development agency at Calais, and is the first point of contact for all businesses setting up in the area.

Contact:

Locations4Business
Richard Swancott
Tel: +44 (0) 207 1837681 Mobile: +44 (0) 7880 733138
E-mail: richard.swancott@locations4business.com

Major Investment Generates Opportunities for Scottish Property Developers

Scottish commercial property developers are set for a major boost after Doosan Power Systems and Scottish Enterprise reached an agreement which could bring in 1700 jobs and £170m investment.

The international engineering company is to open a new R&D Centre of Excellence for Renewables near Glasgow, and may also develop wind turbine assembly and manufacturing facilities as part of a proposed £170m investment.

Doosan claim this could create up to 1700 new jobs, 700 directly and 1000 in the supply chain.

In turn this will generate further opportunities for property developers and investors in the area, through increased demand for new homes and leisure and retail activities.

Doosan Chief Executive Jean-Michel Aubertin said: “We are delighted to be strengthening our successful partnership with Scottish Enterprise.

“Together we hope to develop cutting-edge wind power technology that will enhance the role of renewables in the energy mix.

“This is also great for Scotland’s economy in terms of jobs and inward investment.

“Doosan’s current wind power portfolio and position with the industry will continue to grow strongly over the coming years.”

Scottish Enterprise Chief Executive Lena Wilson said: “This is an exciting time for Scotland’s renewables industry and this announcement builds on the significant offshore wind momentum we’ve seen in recent months with investment from international players such as Mitsubishi, Gamesa, and Technip.

“Doosan’s investment in a new R&D facility cements Scotland’s reputation as the leading location for the development of offshore wind technologies.”

For further information, contact Mark Barton at Clyde Waterfront on +44 141 229 5423 or m.barton@clydewaterfront.com

Glasgow Public Sector Earmarks Large Site for Development

A new project which aims to transform Clyde into a centre of excellence for the media, technology and creative industries is to open a 15 acre site for development.

The Creative Clyde site, at Pacific Quay on the banks of the River Clyde, will provide for modern, loose fit, flexible space to accommodate a range of retail, leisure and residential uses, as well as core offices and workspace for creatively minded businesses.

The development aims to build on the success of Glasgow’s Digital Media Quarter, which is already home to BBC Scotland and Scottish Television, Glasgow Science Centre, Film City Glasgow and The Hub, which offers quality workspace for up to 50 companies.

In all there are 2500 people employed on site, which is set to grow through the Creative Clyde development and improved links to Glasgow City Centre, such as the Clyde Arc road bridge.

The site is also just 15 minutes away from Glasgow International Airport.

Allan Currie is Business Development Director at Scottish Development International.

He said: “Creative Clyde is a refreshed vision for the location. It takes in both sides of the Clyde at Pacific Quay to include the SECC, Clyde Auditorium ‘Armadillo’, Scottish Hydro Arena and Riverside Museum.

“It helps to showcase the talent that we have within our ever growing creative community and helps us to build on those strengths in order to attract more inward investment in the future.

“Collaboration and networking a tant to growing this community, and Creative Clyde allows us to bring them together more effectively under one banner.

“There are also further opportunities for developers at Pacific Quay, providing investors with the chance to be part of this exciting initiative.”

Scottish Development International are partners in the project alongside Scottish Enterprise, Glasgow City Council, Creative Scotland, BBC Scotland, the University of Glasgow and numerous private enterprises.

The public sector partners work closely with inward investors, opening doors to a wide range of opportunities. This extends from potential funding support in the form of equity investment and grants to support staff development and training costs.

For further information, contact Mark Barton at Clyde Waterfront on +44 141 229 5423 or m.barton@clydewaterfront.com.