DOUBLE WIN FOR COUNTY CARLOW AT NATIONAL ENTERPRISE AWARDS

Press Release for Immediate Release – 12th February 2021

 

DOUBLE WIN FOR COUNTY CARLOW AT NATIONAL ENTERPRISE AWARDS

 

Killian Doyle of Irish Fluid Control and David Walsh of Netwatch & Halocare who are supported by Local Enterprise Office (Carlow) were winners at this year’s National Enterprise Awards. The awards, which took place virtually were broadcast online from the Mansion House in Dublin, are in their 22nd year and run annually by the Local Enterprise Offices.

Irish Fluid Control were awarded the Regional Winner Award. Irish Fluid Controls was founded by Killian Doyle. The company provides specialized chemical feed equipment to industry. The company manufactures turn-key chemical dosing systems, has developed a further division to complement its core manufacturing solutions, and has signed a sole distributor agreement with Suez, a global supplier of industrial water treatment chemicals and service.

Commenting on his award success , Killian Doyle of Irish Fluid Controls said “I’m delighted to have been selected from such a high caliber of SMEs from across Ireland to receive this award which is significant acknowledgement of the achievements of our company since its establishment”. The entrepreneur continued to say “I’d like to thank all the team and our wider support network and customers who have all played a part in the development of Irish Fluid Controls”.

David Walsh who was awarded the inaugural National Enterprise Awards Outstanding Achievement award was former Netwatch co-founder and CEO.  Walsh, who worked closely with LEO Carlow as he built Netwatch into a global company with over 250,000 clients across 4 continents, is now co-founder and CEO of a new start-up HaloCare.  The Kerry native was honoured for his success and innovation but also his continued support of entrepreneurship in in Carlow.

Congratulating the winners, Cllr. Tom O’Neill, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council said “I’m personally delighted for this double win for County Carlow as part of this National Awards and I’d like to acknowledge the work of these entrepreneurs, their teams and their wider support networks who support them in their entrepreneurial journey”.

Acknowledging the importance of supporting the Business Community, Kathleen Holohan, Chief Executive with Carlow County Council said “supporting the business community in these uncertain times is essential and we in Carlow County Council are delighted with this acknowledgement of members of our business community”. The Chief Executive continued to say “in County Carlow SMEs are the backbone of our local communities providing much needed jobs and we in Carlow County Carlow are committed to working with the enterprise community to support them in their ambition to develop and grow their businesses and showcase County Carlow as a location ideal for businesses to start , develop and grow”.  

The overall winner at the National Enterprise Awards was Mullingar mobile craft canning company, Bevcraft.  Established in 2016 by friends Ciaran Gorman and Darren Fenton the company has gone from strength to strength.  They now work with over 250 brands to can their produce using their mobile canning technology.  They are operating across 5 European countries and in 2021 aim to handle over 50million cans.

Along with the overall winner, five category winners were announced.  The Innovation Award winner was VRAI, who are backed by LEO Dublin City.  The tech company provide virtual reality training similuations to companies who may work in remote or dangerous areas. 

The Best Export Award went to Kianda Technologies who were supported by LEO Fingal and have recently moved to Enterprise Ireland.  The company have achieved significant penetration in global export markets with their business automation software that streamlines business processes in areas such as finance, HR and quality.

The Future Focus Award went to Lidan Designs, backed by LEO Roscommon.  The business creates modular energy efficient buildings off-site in the areas of offices, schools and housing.

To recognise the particular challenges overcome by businesses in 2020, tow new awards were presented, the Brexit Ready Award and the Pivot Award.  The Brexit Ready Award went to Knockanore Farmhouse Cheese who are supported by LEO Waterford.  The raw milk artisan cheddar cheese producer’s impressive response to Brexit has seen them actually grow their business on the back of the UK leaving the EU, accessing new markets.

The Pivot Award winner went to WowWee.ie who are backed by LEO Clare.  A personalised gifting company who relied heavily on corporate gifting saw their business disappear once the pandemic hit but pivoted to sell direct to consumers.  The response has seen them excel in an extremely competitive market.

Announcing the awards virtually from the Mansion House, Minister English said; “The awards are an opportunity to celebrate the sheer talent, determination and success which exists in Irish businesses.  The winners tonight are outstanding companies and, along with all the finalists, are trailblazers for every small business and budding entrepreneur across the country.  I have no doubt that the companies here will continue to grow their businesses, create more jobs and make a significant contribution to their local economies.  The foundations of the Irish economy is built on by small businesses and through these awards we can recognise their valuable role in society.” 

This year’s winners share a €50,000 investment fund and eight regional winners were also announced on the night. 

Those winners are – 

  • The Artisan Pizza Company in the Dublin Region (backed by LEO South Dublin)
  • Odyssey Studios in the South West Region (backed by LEO Limerick)
  • QPQ in the Mid East Region (backed by LEO Kildare)
  • Submit Software Solutions in the South Region (backed by LEO Cork City)
  • Irish Fluid Controls in the South East Region (backed by LEO Carlow)
  • Dromod Boxty in the North West Region (backed by LEO Leitrim)
  • Qualitas Electronics in the North East Region (backed by LEO Meath)
  • Armour Interactive in the West Region (backed by LEO Galway)

Previous winners of the National Enterprise Awards include Irish Yoghurts (1998), Obelisk (2000), Simtech Aviation (2008), Digiweb (2004) and Design Pro (2013), Terra NutriTech (2018) and the last winners in 2019, Pestle & Mortar backed by Local Enterprise Office Kildare.  Founded by Sonia Deasy and her husband Padraig, Pestle & Mortar has become one of Ireland’s best-known skincare companies.  Having sold out on QVC in the US in 7 minutes, Pestle & Mortar products now sit on the shelves in some of the world’s most high-end retail outlets.   

The National Enterprise Awards are one of a number of initiatives that the Local Enterprise Offices run, to foster entrepreneurship across the country. Others include Local Enterprise Week, the Student Enterprise Programme, and National Women’s Enterprise Day. The Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities are funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland.

Established in 2014, the Local Enterprise Offices are the essential resource for any entrepreneur looking to start a business or any small business that is looking for support or advice to help them grow.  The LEOs work with over 7,000 client companies across Ireland in a diverse range of sectors offering mentoring, training, expert advice and financial supports to small businesses.

For more information see www.LocalEnterprise.ie

 

ENDS

 

For further information contact Kieran Comerford on 086-8252037 or e-mail kcomerford@carlowcoco.ie