Monday 13^th March  

Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny announces the County Recipient of the National Enterprise Awards

A local environmental business CHI Environmental based in Grannagh will represent County Kilkenny at the National Enterprise Awards. This family run business have been nominated to represent Kilkenny at the 23^rd National Enterprise Awards which will be held in the Round Room at the Mansion House, Dublin on 1^st June. The operation has grown from being a family business with a core management team consisting of Directors Bob Murphy along with his sons Richard, Pat and Nicholas and to having 10 employees, 8 fulltime and 2 part-time.

CHI Environmental operate a construction & demolition waste recovery operation.  The business recycles construction and demolition waste into reusable aggregate products. The business also operates a Materials Recovery and Transfer Facility (MRTF) at a former industrial site as well as a Civic Amenity Centre.

CHI Environmental  have availed of Local Enterprise Office grant assistance which has supported the growth and development of the business over the years. In recent times, they have completed the Lean for Micro Programme to establish a documented integrated environmental and quality management system to meet with the ISO standards. The Green for Micro Scheme supported the business to obtain End-Of-Waste Approval for recycled products. CHI Environmental has also participated in mentoring and training supports over the years including participation on the Management Development Programme.

As part of Local Enterprise Week 2023, the Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council Cllr. Pat Fitzpatrick made a presentation to the Directors of CHI Environmental and said: “We would like to congratulate CHI Environmental  on their achievements to date and wish them all the best in the next stages of the competition”. He added “The National Enterprise Awards provides an opportunity to highlight the achievements and contribution of small business and showcase their success. These enterprises are based in our cities, local towns and rural communities and are making strides in areas such as business growth, turnover, employment, new product development, environmental protection and innovation”.

“As Ireland works towards a Circular Economy and a Zero Waste Programme for Europe, it is envisaged that policy will support forwarding-thinking companies in this area like CHI Environmental” advised Aileen McGrath, Acting Head of Enterprise with the Local Enterprise Office. She added “CHI Environmental not only collect waste but are pioneering and leading the way in operating a circular-economy business model as well as facilitating and enabling private, commercial and Local Authority customers to divert waste from landfill, meet environmental targets and do their bit for the planet”.

Further details about the supports available to local start-ups and small businesses are available through www.localenterprise.ie/kilkenny  Updates around local companies competing at the National Enterprise Awards are available by searching #NEAwards on social media.

As part of Local Enterprise Week 2023, the Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council made a presentation to County Winners of the National Enterprise Awards CHI Environmental, photo from left to right: Aileen McGrath, Acting Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office; Richie Murphy, Director CHI Environmental; Cathaoirleach Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick, Kilkenny County Council; Pat Murphy, Director CHI Environmental and Catherine Hennessy, Local Enterprise Office.