Galway companies have been urged to make the most of an opportunity offered by Apple to get involved in the construction and operation of the technology giant’s planned date centre near Athenry.
Independent TD Noel Grealish said that a forum for potential suppliers to be held next week presented great potential for companies in the city and county to benefit from the development.
The company is to invest €850 million developing the data centre on a 500-acre site at Derrydonnell, which will create up to 300 new jobs and is expected to open in 2017. The centre will help run its online services like iTunes and Maps.
Deputy Grealish said that the forum for potential suppliers would be held next Wednesday and Thursday, November 18 and 19, in the Raheen Woods Hotel in Athenry, in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland and the IDA.
“Apple tell me that they will have representatives there to deal with everything from procurement to construction, engineering, operations and maintenance. They aim to ensure that suppliers are matched with Apple representatives directly responsible for their area of expertise.
“This is a huge opportunity for potential suppliers from around Galway to benefit from this massive data centre, and gives Apple the chance to get to know what local companies can offer them,” said Deputy Grealish.
After the two-day forum, Apple will consider what companies might be considered for contracts to supply their required services.Apple representative Cathy Kearney also told the Galway West TD in a letter that at later stages of the project, there will be opportunities for potential suppliers in areas such as catering, grounds maintenance etc to participate in a similar forum.
