Netwatch makes US headway in car dealership space

21 Mar 2012

Boston Harbour vista: David Walsh, Netwatch Group CEO, and Kathleen O'Toole, the former Boston Police Commissioner who joined the Netwatch board in February

Carlow-headquartered protection services company Netwatch is fast making inroads in the US since the opening of its Boston HQ. Falmouth Toyota in Cape Cod has just come on board as its latest customer, as the company aims to take a chunk of auto dealerships space in Massachusetts.

The company is on a mission to help such customers up their security systems and combat car thefts. Netwatch has already taken on Bernardi Honda of Brockton and Natick and Copeland Toyota of Brockton. CEO David Walsh said today that the combined automotive contracts are valued at US$500,000 over three years.

Set up by Walsh and Niall Kelly in 2003, Netwatch was one of the first companies in Ireland to combine specialist video transmission technologies with satellite communications to provide protection solutions for clients. It provides real-time remote security monitoring to businesses and private residences in Ireland and internationally.

Back in November, Netwatch announced a €3m investment to facilitate its expansion into the US.

Its Boston operation was officially launched in February. At the time, Netwatch said it would be creating 50 jobs between its Boston and Carlow-based operations over the next 18 months.

Thirty jobs will be created between its Boston and Carlow operations by the end of this year, boosting its workforce to more than 120 people.

In 2010, the company invested more than €5m in its communication hub in Carlow.

According to Walsh, Netwatch is aiming to fill the gap in security services for automotive dealerships to protect showrooms and lots.

“We’ve worked hard to hit the ground running since our US launch,” he said.

Carmel Doyle was a long-time reporter with Silicon Republic

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