SAP deepens its commitment to Ireland

The expected €1 billion overall spend in Ireland over the next 10 years clearly demonstrates SAP’s view that Ireland is very well positioned to deliver on SAP’s purpose and ambition.

Mr. Werner Brandt, Member of the Executive Board of SAP AG, and Global Chief Financial Officer

Expects approximate €1 billion spend in Ireland over 10 years

Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan TD, today Thursday October 29th, welcomed the announcement by SAP AG that it has entered into a further 10 year lease of its Citywest Business Park premises in Dublin, which it is anticipated will result in an approximate €1 billion overall spend in Ireland over the next 10 years by the company and a €3 million investment for a refitting out of the facility. SAP has been supported by the Government through IDA Ireland since its establishment in Dublin in 1997. “This decision by SAP is a substantial deepening of its commitment to Ireland for the next 10 years and will further embed its existing operations in Dublin and Galway and consolidate the 900 plus jobs involved,” said the Minister. 

Minister Lenihan was speaking at a meeting with Mr. Werner Brandt, Member of the Executive Board of SAP AG, and Global Chief Financial Officer, who is visiting Ireland for meetings with the Irish Government, customers of SAP and employees from SAP’s Dublin and Galway offices. Mr. Brandt, speaking in Dublin, said “the expected €1 billion overall spend in Ireland over the next 10 years clearly demonstrates SAP’s view that Ireland is very well positioned to deliver on SAP’s purpose and ambition.” Mr. Brandt was outlining the depth of SAP’s ongoing commitment to Ireland and the importance Ireland plays in SAP’s location strategy. Approval by the Board of SAP AG of the €3 million investment for the refitting of the facility will enable the final phase of integrating of the Business Objects employees into SAP, following SAP’s acquisition of the company in 2008.

SAP Business Objects’ 900 employees in Dublin and Galway have a broad range of skills including technical support, research and development, technical writing, telesales, customer interaction and partner management. The employees come from 35 different countries and speak 27 languages. Since its establishment in Ireland 1997, SAP Business Objects, with the assistance of IDA Ireland, has continuously added lines of business spanning technological, business sector and regional areas of responsibility. This has enabled employees to further their careers to areas including research and development and systems architecture, as well as sales and consulting. SAP in Ireland also supports and engages with more than 300 customers whose businesses are run on SAP solutions.

Barry O’ Leary, CEO of IDA Ireland, welcoming SAP’s decision, said “The decision to renew its lease for 10 years is a testament to the confidence SAP has in its Irish employees and their knowledge, technical expertise, multi-lingual abilities, flexible ‘can do’ attitude and efficiency. It is also an excellent further endorsement of Ireland’s proven ability to satisfy the complex needs of highly inventive, technologically advanced global companies and the multi-lingual customer support activities they require. IDA has a long and good relationship with SAP and I wish the Irish management and workforce the very best in the further development of its Irish operations.”Mr. Brandt said “SAP believes that in the market conditions that Ireland faces currently, it is essential for businesses and institutions to perform at a significantly higher level of efficiency and effectiveness. This will allow our customers to trade agilely through the current conditions and more importantly, to lead their businesses through competitive advantage into the upturn.”

Regarding SAP’s strategy Mr. Brandt continued “We called on businesses worldwide to see clearly, think clearly and act clearly in order to thrive in the current global economic crisis. I see executives focusing on making their organizations more efficient, flexible and transparent. What we are seeing is a growing and lasting need for clarity and insight. Doing business within global networks has brought greater complexity and risk into the game. Executives must have visibility into every aspect of their business and network to act effectively and decisively. Almost all employees in Ireland have direct Customer contact. Through their knowledge and communications skills they constantly provide solutions, clarity and understanding to our Customer base."

About SAP

SAP is the world's leading provider of business software(*), offering applications and services that enable companies of all sizes and in more than 25 industries to become best-run businesses. With more than 86,000 customers in over 120 countries, the company is listed on several exchanges, including the Frankfurt stock exchange and NYSE, under the symbol "SAP." For more information, visit

www.sap.com

Contacts

Media Contact:

SAP: Fiona Walsh
Phone:    +353 (0) 14674054       Mobile:    +353 87 2865827
Email:fiona.walsh@sap.com   

IDA Ireland –
Thomas McEvoy, Press and PR Manager,
Tel: + 353 (0) 1 603 4255, Mob: +353 (0) 87 7426684

Antoinette Tyrrell, Press Officer,
Tel: +353 (0)1 603 4256, Mob: +353 (0) 87 7572053

Department of Finance
Eoin Dorgan/Alan Mahon/Brian Meenan
Tel: 00353 (0) 1 6760336