Sneem Digital Hub gets Star support from Mercedes-Benz

The commercial vehicles division of Mercedes-Benz in Ireland is providing support to Sneem Digital Hub in its mission to reverse rural depopulation in the area.

Through the development work being done by Sneem Digital Hub, and the facilities and services it provides, the goal being pursued is to provide sustainable long-term jobs that would attract people to live and work in Sneem, thereby ensuring the continuing viability of the village and surrounding areas.

Under the initiative announced by Mercedes-Benz, Sneem Digital Hub facility will be supplied with a new Mercedes-Benz Vito van for their exclusive use for a one-year period.

The new Vito, which is highly branded and instantly recognisable, will provide essential support to managers at the Hub in transporting equipment and distributing materials as required, and as a promotional unit when conveying display materials to events and exhibitions.

Soon to be a familiar site around the Ring of Kerry and surrounding area, the Vito 111L model will display the Sneem Digital Hub logo on its livery. Complete with all mod cons, its features will include colour coded bumpers, multifunction steering wheel, reverse camera and air-conditioning.

Commenting, Aidan Murray, manager at Sneem Digital Hub said: “We are delighted to secure the support of Mercedes-Benz.  The use of the Vito van will provide a visual presence and shop window for the Hub as it travels throughout the Kerry and south-west region, and further afield.”

Created with the help of a dedicated group of community volunteers, the aim of Sneem Digital Hub is to bring reliable digital infrastructure and quality jobs to the location.

A modern, stylish facility, the Hub provides high-speed broadband, hot-desking for remote workers, a low-cost base for business start-ups and options for companies seeking to expand remotely. Video conferencing technology and meeting rooms are also available.

Addressing guests present at a recent key presentation event held in the Mercedes-Benz headquarters on Dublin’s Naas Road, the company’s chairman, Stephen O'Flaherty praised the work being done by Sneem Digital Hub, seeing it as “a wonderful example of local enterprise at work in a way that brings immediate and downstream benefits to the community”.

Pictured with the new Vito van, seen in its Sneem Digital Hub livery, is Stephen O’Flaherty (second left), Chairman of Motor Distributors Limited, concessionaires for Mercedes-Benz in Ireland, and Niall Scott (centre left), Chairman of Sneem Digital Hub.

With them (left to right) is Stephen Byrne, Chief Executive, Mercedes-Benz in Ireland; Lauren O’Flaherty, Marketing Manager, MSL Motor Group; Aidan Murray, Manager, Sneem Digital Hub; and Fergus Conheady, Sales Manager, Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles.