Team leaving Aviation house location after 25 years
SHANNON, IRELAND, JUNE 12, 2009 --- After nearly 25 years at their former Aviation House location, the 140 employees of GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) today officially celebrated the opening of their new facility at Westpark Office Complex.
GECAS' Shannon unit, which is mostly comprised of the business' technical, finance, operations, information technology and insurance teams, along with GECAS's European sales team, helps manage and service a fleet of over 1,800 owned and managed commercial aircraft for over 250 customers around the world. GECAS is headquartered in Stamford, CT, USA.
The new office design aligns well with the GE Ecomagination initiative by providing an idyllic working ambience with maximum usage of natural light and technology offering efficiency and limiting power consumption. The building offers 21st century amenities including a state-of-the-art conference centre, 'hub' meeting rooms on each floor themed after aviation pioneers with graphics (Amy Johnson, Wright Brothers, Alcock and Brown, Charles Lindberg and Amelia Earhart), modern boardroom, two modern refreshment kitchens on most floors, a modern dining room, balcony areas on each floor, central air conditioning, and stunning views of the airport and surrounding countryside. The energy-efficient, eco-friendly building also has a fully equipped employee gym.
On hand Friday to help the GECAS officially open the doors to their "new home" was Don Barry, president of the University of Limerick. Following remarks by site General manager Sean Flannery, Professor Barry did the official honors of cutting the ribbon to open the complex. Afterward, GECAS hosted a guided tour of the new complex, followed by lunch.
The decision to move into the new Westpark complex was prompted when the lease to Aviation House expired. According to Flannery, the former facility needed too much retrofitting to modernize it for the future and make it energy efficient and eco-friendly. The Westpark office came on the market at the right time the spokesperson said, and its close proximity to Aviation House made relocation logistics much easier. The move will also improve office efficiency, Flannery says. Space problems in the old complex, meant some functions were split between floors or scattered throughout different parts of the building. The Westpark building allows for consolidation of functions to single areas around the site.
"Shannon has been so good to us over the years," said Flannery "We're delighted that we'll remain in this community and be able to continue on with our legacy as a dedicated economic partner." One of the greatest sources of pride is GECAS' culture of sharing and volunteerism in the communities where they work and live, added Flannery. In fact, this past year GECAS' Shannon office donated $100,000 and countless volunteer hours for a range of community projects including the Simon Community, Junior Achievement and others.
GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) today officially celebrated the opening of their new facility at Westpark Office Complex, Shannon, Co. Clare Ireland. From left: Sean Flannery, General Manager GECAS. Prof. Don Barry, President of the University of Limerick and Ivan Graydon, Senior VP, SES (Shannon Engine Support) at the opening. - Photo: Kieran Clancy / PicSure © 12/6/09
About GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS)
GECAS, the US and Irish commercial aircraft financing and leasing business of GE, has a fleet of approximately 1,500+ owned aircraft with approximately 250 airlines in over 70 countries, and it manages over 325 aircraft for others. GECAS offers a wide range of aircraft types and financing options, including operating leases and secured debt financing, and also provides productivity solutions including spare engine leasing, spare parts financing and management. GECAS, a unit of GE Capital, has offices in 24 cities around the world.
GE is a diversified global infrastructure, finance and media company that is built to meet essential world needs. From energy, water, transportation and health to access to money and information, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.ge.com. GE is Imagination at Work .
Dan Whitney
GE Capital Aviation Services
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203-585-2268
203-300-8707