A US-based information technology (IT) firm is to locate its European sales and marketing headquarters in Limerick, giving the region an all-important boost, according to Technology Minister Conor Lenihan TD, as well as creating at least 10 jobs with scope for more over the next two years.
KEMP Technologies, specialists in providing server load balancing solutions for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and internet service providers (ISPs), has chosen Ireland as the location for its first European corporate operation (ECO) in an investment supported by the Irish Government and the Irish Development Authority (IDA).
All important boost
The investment was described as “an all important high-tech boost for Limerick” by Minister for Science, Technology, Innovation and Natural Resources Conor Lenihan, who added: “Kemp operates in an emerging area in the information communications technology sector and the investment will initially create 10 jobs with the potential to develop more over the next two years in the National Technology Park in Limerick.
“The highly skilled will be in sales and technical support and they align well with the Government’s strategy for a smart economy based on sustainable employment in growth sectors,” said Lenihan.
Load balancing controllers
KEMP Technologies offers a variety of products in the emerging area of application delivery/load balancing controllers for server management in data centres, both physical and virtual. These internet controllers allow companies to reduce the risk of losing customers and revenue as a result of network downtime or increased traffic volumes.
The company has more than 3,000 customers worldwide, with Europe accounting for one-third of its market. The Limerick operation will focus on KEMP’s expansion in the Europe, Middle East and Africa regions (EMEA).
“Ireland provides KEMP with all the necessary requirements for the establishment of its EMEA headquarters, including a highly skilled workforce, access to an excellent research base at the University of Limerick (UL), and the availability of competitively priced technology-equipped office space.
“KEMP in Limerick will focus on the development of the EMEA market. The successful establishment of the operation will increase the capability of KEMP to carry out advanced sales, marketing and customer supports from a European base,” said Kevin Mahon, president of KEMP Technologies.
The IDA has offered its continued support to KEMP in the “set-up and growth” of its Irish operation.