OVER 400 local suppliers to the construction industry attended a recent information event designed to connect them with contractors working on the multi-million euro DIT Grangegorman campus development.
The participants were there to learn how best they can become part of the lucrative e200 million supply chain for the Central and East Quads of the massive new Northside education campus.
Those attending were able to meet with the three shortlisted building consortia for the project to promote themselves in a series of short five minute
‘pitch meetings’.
They also had an opportunity to network with other suppliers with the aim of partnering and maximising the business potential from the major construction and development project.
The event was officially opened by Minister for Business & Employment, Ged Nash, and was hosted by the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) and Grangegorman Development Agency (GDA) in partnership with Enterprise Ireland.
It was the fourth event promoting supply chain opportunities organised by the NDFA and Enterprise Ireland, and there’s more to come when other projects are rolled out later this year.
Chief Executive Officer of the GDA, Michael Hand, said he was delighted to see a large attendance at the event.
“In delivering the regeneration of Grangegorman the Agency aims to maximise opportunities for local and national businesses,
? he added.
“It is fantastic to see all of the companies here today looking to be part of it. I can assure them that apart from the Central and East Quad contract there will be other opportunities coming down the line and we look forward to their continued interest in this flagship national strategic project.
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Minister Nash said the event provided
“a real opportunity
? for small businesses in the construction sector to gain access to the key decision makers and construction consortia who are bidding for the Grangegorman project.
“The high number attending shows the keen interest in this type of initiative,
? he continued.
“It is encouraging to see the recent Purchasing Managers Index which shows that activity and employment in the construction sector rose for the 11th month in a row showing a strong growth in housing and commercial sectors.
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The Grangegorman redevelopment is a flagship Government project and its reach will be felt far beyond the Dublin 7 area. The latest phase of DIT’s new campus will accommodate approximately 11,000 students and staff when completed and occupied in September 2017.
Construction has already commenced on the broader campus with work scheduled to begin on the Central and East quads development in 2015. The overall strategic regeneration project at Grangegorman will deliver in the region of 4,500 construction jobs and a further 1,000 when complete.
The next DIT phase will include the West Quad (Business) and the new library. Other projects coming online within the re-development are the HSE primary care centre, the new Dublin 7 Educate Together primary school and the Community Nursing unit.