Racing Technolgoy Ireland establishes Athlone base

Racing Technology Ireland Ltd is the latest addition to the IDA Business and Technology Park, Garrycastle after the company, who operate the tote service at racetracks nationwide, officially opened a new Athlone base on Thursday last. Employing ten people full-time and six on a casual basis, the firm was previously part of Scientific Games, Ballymahon prior to the sale of the racing division of the business last year to the UK-based Sportech plc, one of the world's leading operators and suppliers of football and horse racing pools betting, tote services and sports gaming in 30 countries. Racing Technology Ireland now forms the Irish divison of Sportech plc. Before a sizeable attendance on the day, newly promoted Regional Manager of the IDA, Frank Conlon, extended a céad míle fáilte to the company, another new name in Athlone following on from positive job announcements from the NPD Group and AMS Medical located in March. As well as bringing valuable investment and growth, he said the firm joins many longstanding names working in Athlone, adding to the mix of businesses in the park now covering the life sciences and services industries. He stressed that the IDA, local authorities and a well founded education system are here to support the company as it grows in the years ahead. President of Racing at Sportech plc, Brooks Pierce, who travelled from the US for the occasion, commented that the company specialises in technology and services for betting, singling out horse racing and soccer as the biggest sports in this regard which yielded $200 million in revenue for the company last year and $50 million profits. Expressing the hope they will continue to grow the business in Ireland and worldwide, Mr Pierce said they are very excited about Racing Technology Ireland Ltd and it forms a big part of their plans for the future. He quipped that he felt very at home in the IDA park after seeing Georgia Tech was also located nearby, adding that in their Atlanta office the very same company is also located alongside them. Welcoming the company to Athlone, Mayor Sheila Buckley Byrne said the presence of Racing Technology Ireland Ltd in the town further positions the Midlands region as an excellent location for companies to achieve strong performance and for people to live and work in a top quality environment. "I'm delighted that Athlone was chosen as the preferred location for Racing Technology Ltd and it will ensure the town continues to act as a business base for many companies operating within the European market," she said, adding the company can be assured of the full support of the community as the operation grows and expands in the years ahead. She also paid tribute to the IDA and Frank Conlon for their vision for Athlone. "The business park is a showpiece and region is rightly proud of it," she concluded. Meanwhile, Ballinasloe native Sean Kelly, Financial Director with Racing Technology Ireland Ltd told the crowd that he and the team are absolutely delighted to move into such a fine facility, which was just a shell twelve months ago. He thanked the IDA, engineer Conor Hayes, Derek Claffey, Rhatigans and their tradesmen, Padraig Daly for their hard work over the last few months, singling out Project Manager Teresa McMenamin for special mention for her dedication to the business. Tribute was also paid to their many friends in Scientific Games in Ballymahon. Speaking to the Westmeath Independent, Mr Kelly stated that there is great potential for growth over the next few years and he is hopeful they will have further opportunities to develop with Sportech in terms of gaming across Europe, adding that he hopes they will also able to form links with the college in terms of R&D in software development in the years ahead.