Horizon Offsite wins Tipperary’s ‘County Enterprise Award’ for 2018 as indigenous sector thrives

Local Enterprise Office in Tipperary provides highest level of support in country

A Cahir company manufacturing world-class structural light-gauge steel building systems for residential, commercial and industrial developments has been announced as Tipperary’s County Enterprise Award winner for 2018.

Horizon Offsite, which is based at Cahir Business Park, received a €2,500 cheque as well as its County Enterprise Award trophy and will now go on to represent Tipperary at the National Enterprise Awards, which this year celebrates its 20^th anniversary, in May.

The award is high recognition for the Cahir business in a year when the Tipperary Local Enterprise Office (LEO) funded 38 businesses to the tune of just under €1m – the highest level of funding awarded across the 31 LEO networks, including in cities, in the country.

The money was well invested, with a survey revealing that Tipperary LEO funded companies increased employment levels by 262 jobs in 2017.

_{Pictured receiving the overall winner accolade; left to right: Ita Horan, Asst Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office,  Tom Luddy, Horizon Offsite Ltd., Joe MacGrath, Ger Fay, Horizon Offsite Ltd., Chief Executive Tipperary Co Co, Roger Kennedy Leas Cathaoirleach, Tipperary Co Co and Rita Guinan Head of Enterprise, LEO Tipperary.}

Speaking after receiving the award, Horizon Offsite founder Ger Fahy said that it validates the hardwork of his team.  “We manufacture a world-class product here and the standards we deliver are down to the team we have in place.  We strive to be best in class and this award reflects that.  While we are a relatively new business, our team brings over 25 years’ experience in the off-site sector.  We are building a really strong export business as well as growing our footprint in the Irish market.  

 “Winning the award is really strong validation for us.  To win it in a year when Tipperary LEO has funded more companies than any other LEO in the country says a lot about what we are doing also as the competition was considerable.  LEO has been a huge support to us and I would encourage any business, particularly in the early stages, to knock on its door as we got great financial and mentoring support at a critical stage of our development. We look forward now to National Enterprise Awards in May and the work continues in the meantime.”

Left to right: Ita Horan, Asst Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office, Joe MacGrath, Chief Executive Tipperary Co Co, Paul O Brien, Solaregy Ltd., Roger Kennedy Leas Cathaoirleach, Tipperary Co Co and Audrey McDonnell, Solaregy Ltd. and Mary Ryan, Senior Enterprise Development Officer, LEO Tipperary.  

Horizon Offsite edged Templemore based Sola Energy Solutions, which received a €1,500 cheque, into second place, while Nenagh based food producer The Scullery claimed third place and a €1,000 cheque.

Three other companies, who completed the top award shortlist, were also award winners at the event.  They were fashion designer Marion Murphy Cooney, who won the Design, Creativity and Branding award; Grace Tooher, who won the award for Best Start-Up for her JamForest global music platform which enables musicians to meet, collaborate and grow; and Una Butler, founder of the Galtee Advertiser,  a high Gloss, professionally designed, monthly adverting publication, featuring and promoting local businesses and services.  Each of these award winners received a €500 cheque.

Speaking at the awards, which were held in Cahir Castle Banquet Hall, Leas Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council Councillor Roger Kennedy said that the business environment is in good stead in Tipperary.  "If the quality of the businesses shortlisted for these awards reflects what we are producing in Tipperary, the start-up sector is in rude health here in Tipperary.  What also is very impressive is the range of specialisms of the companies involved, from the construction sector to food and fashion to energy systems. The Local Enterprise Office is a critical support system for entrepreneurs in Tipperary and while we want more FDI in Tipperary, indigenous business is the bedrock of our economy and that foundation is very strong in Tipperary.”

Said Tipperary County Council CEO Joe MacGrath:  “There is a great history of innovation and entrepreneurship in Tipperary, probably as strong here as for any county in the country per head of capita.  That spirt is very much alive today in Tipp based on what we have seen.  We really have an excellent and progressive business ecosystem here in Tipperary. Our Enterprise Awards and, indeed, the fact that we topped the national league table in terms of funding for business reflects that.”

Head of Enterprise for Tipperary LEO Rita Guinan said that it has been a very positive year for business in Tipperary.  “If an FDI were to come into Tipperary and create 262 jobs in a year, we would be celebrating that for a long time but that’s what has been achieved by LEO supported businesses in Tipperary last year.  The goal of LEOs is to support and promote entrepreneurship so that we can boost job creation and provide supports to businesses.  It’s fair to say that we are delivering on that mandate in Tipperary and have an open invitation to new and existing businesses to come and talk to us.”

Rita Guinan Head of Enterprise, LEO Tipperary, Joe MacGrath, Chief Executive Tipperary Co Co, Florrie Purcell, the Scullery, Mary Ryan Senior Enterprise Development Officer, LEO Tipperary.

Rita Guinan Head of Enterprise, LEO Tipperary, Joe MacGrath, Chief Executive Tipperary Co Co, Marion Murphy Cooney, Marion Murphy Cooney Designs Category winner and Roger Kennedy Leas Cathaoirleach, Tipperary Co Co

Left to right - Roger Kennedy Leas Cathaoirleach, Tipperary Co Co, Marion Murphy Cooney, Kevin Cooney, Marion Murphy Cooney Designs, Rita Guinan Head of Enterprise, LEO Tipperary and   Joe MacGrath, Chief Executive Tipperary Co Co

Ita Horan, Asst Head of Enterprise, LEO Tipperary, Joe MacGrath, Chief Executive Tipperary Co Co, Una Butler the Galtee Advertiser  winner of special category Award for Local Service and Roger Kennedy Leas Cathaoirleach, Tipperary Co Co