List of Case Studies for CEB Fifteen Year Review
Carlow – Netwatch Cavan – Obelisk Group West Cork – My Guide Travel West Cork – Irish Yogurts Dun Laoghaire Rathdown – Cipherion Translations Fingal – POPS Resources Kerry – Annascaul Black Pudding Kilkenny – Ormonde Technologies Laois – Coyle & Holland Leitrim – Jinny’s Bakery Louth – Acuspread Offaly – Silver Line Cruises Sligo – Abtech Precision Tipperary North – Digino Tipperary South – Ivowen Waterford – Waterford & Suir Valley Railway Westmeath – Kelmsworth Wexford – APEX Geoservices Wexford – selfcatering .ie Wicklow – Drapeage
Published by the CEB Coordination Unit, Enterprise Ireland December 2008
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CASE STUDIES
Netwatch Ltd - Carlow
www.netwatchsystem.com Founded in 2002 in Carlow with significant support from Carlow County Enterprise Board, Netwatch is the first company in Ireland to use modern communication technologies to provide remote visual monitoring systems to businesses throughout Ireland and abroad. Their unique technology allows highly trained Intervention Specialists in the Netwatch command centre to watch in real time any intrusion at a client premises and more importantly, speak directly to the potential criminals, clearing them from the site thus preventing theft and damage to property. The company was established by David Walsh and Niall Kelly following an experience whereby a friend was attacked as he answered a burglar alarm call at his place of work. It was felt that there must be a more efficient way to protect property and the keyholder, and following some research into the new emerging video transmission technologies, Netwatch was formed in late 2002, taking on its first client in Jan 2003. This client is still protected by Netwatch. Netwatch has enjoyed significant growth since its launch and was a regular user of training programmes delivered by the Enterprise Board. There are currently 70 full-time and 15 part-time employees protecting over 900 sites worldwide. The company is on target to turnover in excess of €8 million in 2008 and have developed growth strategies, in consultation with Enterprise Ireland, to see that figure reach €12 million by 2010. The company invests heavily in research and development and constantly upgrades the system as newer technologies become available. Each installation is custom designed to suit the needs of each indvidual client, providing cost effective and efficent solutions. sites and premises. Netwatch has received several prestigious accolades for its achievement; including the PA consulting awards, a Deloitte and Touche technology fast 50 award, special merit award at the 2004 County and City Enterprise Boards National Enterprise Award and as a finalist in the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the year award in 2007. 2 The company’s products have an advantage in the marketplace as it cuts down the costs associated with employing security staff on
Obelisk Group - Cavan
www.obelisk.com Founded in 1997 in Cavan by two local entrepreneurs, Obelisk offers a full suite of telecommunications network rollout services including services in the areas of acquisition, design, construction, logistics, maintenance and financing for mobile and fixed line telecommunications infrastructure. Obelisk is at the forefront of network rollout in Ireland being a major partner for mobile and fixed line operators as Ireland develops a national broadband network to rival any country in Europe. Customers include all of the household names in the telecommunications industry – o2, Vodafone, Meteor, eircom, Ericsson, Smart, Digiweb and BT to name but a few. While the Obelisk Group began in Ireland the operations have expanded to markets in the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, the Middle East and South Africa. The Group has also diversified across industries with interests in sustainable energy resources, services for commercial property planning in Ireland and South Africa. Always at the forefront of the rapidly changing telecommunications industry Obelisk established ‘Highpoint’ in 2008 to provide complete network solutions to mobile operators and change the fundamental way that the Irish mobile network operates. Highpoint aims to revolutionise the efficiency of the Irish mobile networks using innovative technology, coverage optimisation and creative financing solutions. Highpoint will make the communications networks cheaper to operate, more appealing for planners and provide more higher speed coverage for customers across Ireland. Operating in a sector where safety and quality are of paramount importance, the Obelisk Group is an active participant in ongoing safety and quality programmes, evidenced through “Investors in People” and the achievement of three ISO standards, ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 18001. The Obelisk Group continues to win awards ranging from the National Enterprise Awards in 2000 through to Best Newcomer at the National Irish Safety Organisation Awards in 2006. This phenomenal growth and expansion since 2000 demonstrates the company’s continual pursuit of excellence and innovation in today’s fast moving global telecommunications industry, announcing in 2007 an additional 100 new jobs within the Obelisk Group. As a result Obelisk now employs, directly and indirectly, almost 200 highly skilled staff in an exciting growth sector for the Irish economy. This investment in people coupled with a strong culture for innovation, research and development makes the company’s products and services highly marketable in Ireland, Europe and further afield.
Pictured: At the World Young Business Achiever Awards 2001 are Minister Noel Treacy, Minister of State, Dept. Of Enterprise, Trade & Employment; Padraig Brady, Colm Murphy (both from Obelisk) and Vincent Reynolds, CEO, Cavan County Enterprise Board.
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My Guide Travel – West Cork
www.myguideireland.com Back in 1998, when three young UCC graduates were completing their MBA in St. Josephs college in Philadelphia and making plans to return home to Ireland, the spark for a new business was ignited. Conor A Buckley, Cormac O’Neill and Conor B Buckley were searching the internet for cheap flights home when they thought: “Why not set up a business where all of this shopping around could be done online for a potential inward visitor to Ireland who was interested, particularly, in activity holidays?” Thus the concept of developing an online inward tourism business was spawned. On arrival back in Ireland, the promoters approached the West Cork Enterprise Board with their concept. After some time developing their business model and subsequent plan and with mentoring from the Enterprise Board, the three promoters established 1 2 Travel.Com. The company aimed initially to employ ten people in Castlehaven and to market activity holidays in Ireland to the US and the UK. The company offered full packages incorporating the visitor’s activity of choice and aimed to utilise quality product providers in Ireland. The guarantee of quality destinations and product would appeal to the visitor who would not have to search for the various sailing, equestrian, hill-walking, fishing etc. products for their stay. The initial investment by the company was in computer hardware, software and communications. The company received ten employment grants from the Enterprise Board which helped toward this initial investment and provided that invaluable cash input at start up stage. Growth of 1 2 Travel.com initially was spectacular, with the company expanding their services to the USA and subsequently to the rest of Europe and to Japan. With credibility established, the company were able to seek equity investment and were taken on board by Enterprise Ireland who subsequently provided substantial grant and equity assistance. Outside expertise was sourced for the Board of the company and a long term development plan put in place to grow the company. Such a success in terms of profile and, more importantly jobs in the tiny village of Castlehaven, was very welcome and the company became a source of great pride for the community. Fast forward to 2008 and the company now occupy an office facility of 5,000 sq. ft. and employs 40 people. The company completed a €3 million merger with an equivalent operation from Boston MA, a long established family operation and is now known 4
as myguideTravel. The company provides inward travel services to Ireland from locations all over the world. They have achieved major growth in the past two years through myguideIreland,
myguideBritain and myguideScotland companies. Conor B Buckley says: “we have realised our
potential in this market and we are excited about our future prospects. myguideTravel is now Ireland’s number one inbound tour operator providing expert local assistance in planning a dream vacation or holiday”. From very small beginnings, the success of the Buckleys and O’Neill shows what can be achieved by bright ambitious people with vision in a location where such an operation would have been unthinkable in previous times.
Irish Yogurts – West Cork
www.irish-yogurts.ie Located in Clonakilty, West Cork, Irish Yogurts was established in 1994 by Diarmuid O Sullivan with the aim of producing traditional churn made yogurt to be supplied to retail outlets nationwide. Irish Yogurts was one of the first companies to be grant aided by West Cork Enterprise Board. This grant went towards building and fitting out a dairy production facility in Clonakilty to be used for production of Irish Yogurts range of luxury dessert products. Market reaction to the company’s products was extremely positive from the beginning and Irish Yogurts became a familiar brand on the shelves of all of the multiples within twelve months of start up. This penetration was down to hard work by Diarmuid and the back up guidance and expertise provided by the Enterprise Board. Irish Yogurts became the first winner of the County and City Enterprise Boards National Enterprise Awards in 1995, eighteen months after start up. This award was extremely beneficial, according to Diarmuid O’Sullivan, as it added credibility to his efforts and was helpful in opening several doors for the company over the next critical period. “The National Enterprise Award was the first formal recognition of our success”, according to Diarmuid and “it was of huge benefit to us when talking to buyers and to representatives of the larger organisations”. Irish Yogurts was seen on the shelves of all of the multiples within just over two years of start up. The company produced a comprehensive range of product ranging from the high end ‘luxury’ yogurts to a groundbreaking ‘diet’ range that won immediate recognition. It later expanded to production of “own label” for some of the multiples, to on board catering and commenced exporting, moving into the Enterprise Ireland 5
portfolio. The company is now a well known national brand available countrywide and in several locations throughout Europe. A workforce of over 100 people is employed in a new state of the art production facility in Clonakilty and the company is engaged in product development that sees innovation in product and in presentation on a regular basis. A small company concentrating on high quality with an appetite for growth, sums up the approach of this highly successful operation.
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Cipherion Translations – Dun Laoghaire Rathdown
www.cipherion.com Cipherion Translations provide translations and localization services to meet all corporate requirements. The business works with clients in the UK, India, Japan and South Africa, as well as Ireland. Clients include Meteor, the Quinn Group and local manufacturers and technology companies such as Keenan Systems and Airvod. Within the Tourism Sector, they have worked with two of Ireland’s largest booking engine providers, Hostelworld.com and Bookassist.com As organizations go global, they need to take on the traits of a “local” company in each of their overseas markets. In other words, they need to market themselves as a “local” organization. Cipherion provides a full range of language-support services to facilitate this globalization process. It provides an outsourcing solution that will allow a company to translate their marketing materials, as well as supporting technical documentation or software in to any of 40 languages worldwide. localization services. The promoter, Mark Rodgers, has 15 years experience within the translation business, having originally joined this industry during its growth period in the mid-90s. Having seen a number of translation companies grow significantly, he decided to set up his own business and grow a global business for himself. Mark is a qualified engineer and has a strong background in processes and systems. He completed an ACCA Financial Course for Non-Financial managers (coming 3rd in the World and 1st place in Ireland). This gave him a solid financial basis on which to run the company. Pictured right: María Jesús de Arriba Díaz: Operations Manager & Mark Rodgers : Managing Director from Cipherion Translations. Mark managed a team of 30 people in his previous role and knew he had the management skills to run a medium sized organization. Mark was originally assisted by way of a Feasibility Study grant from Wicklow County Enterprise Board. He then moved to the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown area, where he has been approved for financial assistance of €30,000 by way of redeemable preference share funding. The company is keen to follow an aggressive growth plan over the next 3 years. It is aiming to grow revenues to €1m within 3 years. Mark’s plan is to create a €10m revenue business in the next 5 years. Its services include multi-lingual website translation, software localization as well as multi-media
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POPS Resources - Fingal
www.popsresources.com Marie Dunleavy’s personal project to help her son learn to read resulted in her starting her own business – POPs Resources. The POPS Family – standing for Plenty of Potential - features a mother and father, their children, Ben, Don, Millie and Kal (who has Down Syndrome) and the cat, Bella. The books are printed in Ireland and feature the drawings of Irish illustrator Stella Kearns. The books are of particular benefit to children with special needs, Autistic Spectrum Disorder or in learning English as a foreign language. Marie claims that there is no other publisher catering for special needs children with a similar product. The books are carefully designed to appeal to special needs children with large, double-spaced text, colourful illustrations, catchy stories, word cards, interactive games and a healthy dose of humour. The children on the programme are consistently and significantly exceeding previous expectations with thousands of special children each year becoming proficient readers. POPS Resources employ eight educational professionals (part time) with the programme in use in over 1,000 schools in the UK and Ireland. This professional publishing venture has benefited special needs children in countries as diverse as Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand, Australia and the US.
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Since the company was founded in 2004 POPS Resources has enjoyed a close and productive relationship with the Fingal Enterprise Board. This included Feasibility Study funding, mentoring, website development and assistance with exporting activities.
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Annascaul Black Pudding - Kerry
www.annascaulblackpudding.com Annascaul Black Pudding is an artisan homemade black pudding handmade by Thomas and Eileen Ashe on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry. The business produces black pudding and a new range of white pudding and home made sausages using the same natural ingredients. Annascaul Black Pudding originated as far back as 1916, when Ashe's shop was established in Annascaul Co Kerry. The original black pudding recipe has been handed down through three generations of the Ashe family. Continuing in that tradition, production of Annascaul Black Pudding is at a dedicated high quality unit located in Annascaul Village.
This business was supported by the Kerry County Enterprise Board through the provision of capital grant assistance to purchase processing and chilling equipment. branding and marketing were delivered. Thomas Ashe highlights “sometimes we as business people do not realise the levels of support available through our local Enterprise Boards. I would encourage other food producers to contact their local Boards to discuss options and supports”. Victor Sheahan, Assistant CEO of Kerry CEB states “I am not surprised by the success of this business, it is a quality artisan food product developed in a rural location. Thomas is progressive in his approach. Despite his increase in scale, he has remained true to his family tradition. He is a role model for other food producers in the county”. Further assistance was provided through the Kerry CEB Advanced Food Programme where progressive mentoring in the areas of
Annascaul black pudding is smooth in texture and sold as a cake. The promoters are currently supplying a number of high profile clients such as the Charthouse Restaurant in Dingle, the Dingle Skellig Hotel, Centra Foodmarkets and Garveys supermarket chain. They acknowledge that the key to future development is the expansion of the distribution chain without compromising on quality, either in product and service. The product is highly rated in good food circles including: • • Georgina Campbell's Jameson Guide, Ireland 2003: "...a superb speciality starter of Annascaul black pudding.." The Bridgestone Irish Food Guide 2005 "..and buy some of the best, Kerry-style black pudding you will find. Cinnamony and spicy, dense and quite delicious, this is a relic of past tastes and textures and one of the signature 10
foods of the peninsula. Then head on down to Dingle and order it as a starter in The Charthouse. These Kerry style puddings.. are valuable foods, as they exemplify local culinary characteristics and individualities, and it is vital that they should be respected and protected, and enjoyed". Sunday Independent LIFE, 23 APRIL 2006 • Brendan O'Connor, Brendan Bites "Annascaul pudding made in Kerry by Ashe's is legendary. I've seen men take 20 mile detours to buy it in Kerry on holidays" • Sunday Business Post, Agenda, Nov 11th, 2007 “this curious pudding remains a firm favourite among aficionados. Unlike other black puddings, it is cooked in a cake shape and sliced into squares rather than circles. The texture is smoother and more pate like than the traditional black pudding. The Ashe family have been making it by hand since 1916; Thomas Ashe is the third generation of his family to produce this magical black stuff on the Dingle Peninsula in Kerry”. Pictured: Thomas Ashe of Annascaul Black Pudding
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Ormonde Technologies t/a SurfBox® -Kilkenny
www.surfbox.ie Ormonde Technologies, owned by Thomas Marry and Declan Lennon, is the largest independent operator of coin and credit card operated internet terminals in Ireland. They install interactive desktops and internet kiosks in hotels, bars and cafes through Ireland and the United Kingdom. They supply internet kiosks which are designed to suit the furnishings of hotels, bars or cafes and ensure that the kiosk suits the décor of the premises. During the summer of 2008, they officially launched what has been dubbed “the Surfers Paradise” in Dublin and Shannon Airports in conjunction with the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA). Both Thomas Marry and Declan Lennon are former employees of the German owned financial services company Infoscore, which was based in Kilkenny until the end of 2005. In 2004, Thomas came up with the idea of providing ‘pay as you go’ internet access for people on the move. He discussed his idea with Declan, and together they decided to turn the concept into a business, and a year later they took the plunge and set up Ormonde Technologies supplying ‘SurfBox’s,’ - coin and credit card operated internet access terminals for hotels, pubs and cafes. From a standing start just 3 years ago, Ormonde Technologies now employs 5 full-time staff in Kilkenny and has many more sub-contractors spread throughout the country, and over 400 SurfBox kiosks in locations in Ireland and the UK. Thomas and Declan received a Feasibility Study Grant in 2005 and Employment Grants in 2006. They attended numerous training programmes and also availed of the Technical Assistance and Mentoring Programmes provided by the Board. Pictured are Thomas Marry and Declan Lennon of Surfbox.
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Coyle & Holland - Laois
www.coyleandholland.ie Founders & Directors Gavin Coyle and George Holland have over 10 years experience in the safety industry with qualification up to Masters Degree level. The company operates on a countrywide basis. The company’s registered office and distribution centre is based in Portlaoise Co. Laois which is central to most major hubs of Ireland, in addition the company has a regional training centre and office in Dublin so they can easily respond to the capital needs. Coyle & Holland provides a fully developed integrated safety, health and environmental service encompassing the development of safety statements and risk assessments, COSHH and noise assessments, surveys, audits, PSDP & PSCS roles and also accident investigations; the company has a list of recognised comprehensive safety training courses and also allocate resources that are designed to meet the client’s specific requirements. A state of the art training centre offers both public and private based training schedules and training is also carried out at clients premises. Contracts undertaken by the company have ranged from manufacturing, retail and service to local authority, construction and heavy industry. A significant amount of company resources is also allocated to the Wind Energy industry with current clients such as Kenersys in Germany, The Lagan Group, Wind Farm Civils, and Galetech Energy. In the Investment banking sector Coyle and Holland are the lead Health & Safety Consultants and trainers for world leading organisations such as JP Morgan & Merrill Lynch. It is the Policy of Coyle & Holland to ensure that their clients meet and surpass their statutory obligations, to conduct their activities serving the intent and true essence of Safety, Health & Environmental Legislation. Coyle & Holland is committed to a continuous improvement cycle of its clients Safety, Health & Environmental performance through target setting of goals, actions and performance appraisal. Management commitment to their clients is demonstrated by an ethos of ensuring requests are dealt with in a prompt manner and a service exceeding quality expectations.
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Jinny’s Bakery - Leitrim
www.jinnysbakery.com Jinny's Bakery prepare and bake a range of breads, cakes and Christmas puddings. They ensure all the bread is baked early in the morning to ensure it is fresh when it's delivered to the shops. The bread is yeast free and sugar free. The range of cakes include scones, carrot cakes and Christmas puddings. Each of the products is made from scratch and in small batches using free range eggs and non hydrogenated margarine and real buttermilk.
Proprietors Sinead Gillard and her husband Pascal Gillard (pictured right) run the family business in Drumshanbo in Co Leitim. Sinead started the business using her parent’s domestic oven but with assistance from Leitrim County Enterprise Board she established Jinny’s Bakery. Help included an expert to advise on things such as how to layout the bakery kitchen in addition to grants for equipment and mentoring supports. Sinead and Pascal bring backgrounds in catering and hospitality and a master’s degree in food science, respectively, to their boutique bakery. Sinead started the business at home, originally baking for visitors to her parents restaurant. She later started supplying local shops and decided to convert a holiday cottage into a bakery. Pascal, from a Food Science background, joined the business Sinead had started after several years as an inspector with IOFGA and looks after the HACCP and paperwork. They have been baking commercially since 2003. The enterprising couple now also employ three other people, two full time and one part time. At the present time the breads are available in stores in Leitrim, Sligo, Cavan, Longford and Roscommon. Recent awards and accolades include: • • Two star Gold Standard Award at the British Great Taste Awards 2008. Best in Ireland 2007 and 2008 Bridgestone Award
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Acuspread - Louth
www.acuspread.com Acuspread manufactures, markets and sells a range of multi-purpose trailed spreaders for the spreading of chemical fertilizer, lime, poultry waste and eco-fert. The main differences in Acuspread’s machine, compared to that of its competitors, is the way that the machine runs by means of hydraulic as opposed to PTO (power take-off). This allows for a more accurate and safer operation whilst the after-sales testing system (including live online results) is unique to Acuspread. A new Comp Spread will give the company a head start on competitors, being “first to market” with an economic and accurate automated spreader. Acuspread’s end users in the main are agriculture based, with the exception of the Sand Master range which is of interest to the leisure industry and local authorities. At present 30% of sales are in Ireland and 70% in the UK. Machines are sold through a network of dealers who are serviced by an Acuspread sales representative. Acuspread attend a number of shows in both Ireland and the UK each year, with regional shows represented by dealers. Plans for the next three years are to expand sales into mainland Europe and increase turnover. The company is also planning to explore markets for the Sand Master range in both the leisure and local authority sectors. Acuspread is constantly looking at products and processes in terms of improvement and cost savings. This includes rollout of a new computer system which will automate a number of functions on the products, bringing Acuspread to a new level in terms of technology. Both promoters, Noel Mackin and David McWeeney, come from a strong manufacturing background. The promoters both felt that, given the changes taking place in farming trends, there was an opening in Europe for a quality built bulk spreader. They also felt their individual talents complimented each other well and have combined experience to cover most requirements to run a business. The key strength of their business is that it allows production and delivery of a top quality, precision built, market tested product that encompasses an after-sales service and testing system, unequalled by competitors. Having spent 15 years working in the agri sector, the promoters know customers’ demands and deliver on this. Louth County Enterprise Board have invested €32,000 in Acuspread and are delighted with the company’s progress to date, with sales into France and China secured in its first year of trading. Acuspread was the winner of Louth County Enterprise Board’s Enterprise Awards competition in 2008. 15
Silver Line Cruisers – Offaly
www.silverlinecruisers.com Silver Line Cruisers was one of the first companies to develop the tourism potential of cruising on the Shannon and recognise that the riverside town of Banagher, midway along the river and right in the heart of Ireland, was the ideal location from which to explore the many attractions of river and countryside. In 1970, Brendan Smyth and his wife Mary began their cruiser business by establishing Silver Line Cruisers, with a fleet of two small cruisers. The business was successful from the outset and the company has continued to grow over the years. Currently, it has 40 cruisers in the fleet, from a small two-berth Silver Stream to its latest addition, introduced in 2006, the twelve-berth, 16 metre long luxury Silver Breeze, the largest hire cruiser on the Shannon – and almost immediately booked to the end of the season. Silver Line operates a charter business with The River Queen, a fully licensed 54 seat motor cruiser, which makes leisurely trips along the navigational channel used by barges on the Shannon route long ago. It is much in demand for group outings and coach tours. As more people now own their own cruisers, the company has also expanded into private moorings, with a marina in Banagher that has 80 cruiser berths. Silver Line has recently been appointed by award winning boat builders Haines Marine UK as their agents in the Republic of Ireland and they are also the sole Irish distributors for Supra & Moomba ski and wakeboard boats. Silver Line remains a family owned and managed company, with founders Brendan and Mary joined by their children, Morgan and Barbara, in running the operation. It employs nine full time staff and a further 20 on a seasonal basis. The company continues to enjoy the advantage of Banagher’s central position on the Shannon, as well as its convenient location for visitors from Ireland and abroad. With the greatly improved road network, it has become far easier to get to any part of County Offaly. “This makes us accessible to both the domestic and continental markets,” says Barbara Smyth. “We’re never too far away and almost everywhere is just two hours away and often a lot less – a good selling point for us. “From a business point of view, Offaly is a very enterprise friendly place. We’re in good company here, with thriving businesses and industries and very efficient support services. Offaly County Enterprise Board continues to assist with development programmes and has always been there for us when we needed them. They’ve given us financial support and are a good source of advice on any aspect of business.”
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The company credits its ongoing success to its focus on the marketplace. “Ours is a challenging business; customers are more discerning and demand top quality. fully equipped facilities to cruisers to and and We invest heavily in the best possible and most modern that we our terminal continue right). ensure
attract
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customer” according to Barbara (pictured
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Abtech Precision – Sligo
www.abtechprecision.com Abtech Precision are one of Irelands leading precision engineering companies, based in Collooney, Co. Sligo, providing a wide range of top quality precision engineering services to clients throughout Ireland. Brian McNulty and Aidan Mullane established Abtech Precision in 2001 following twenty years of tool making and production engineering experience and a lifelong friendship. Abtech Precision specialise in mainly heavy duty parts and components with services including: • • • CNC gas profiling CNC Turning CNC Milling
One of the first things Brian and Aidan did for the business was approach Sligo Enterprise Board for information and support. The Enterprise Board gave them a capital grant to get them started and over the years they have received different grants as well as invaluable mentoring support. Brian sums up the value of the mentoring for any business. “We were engineers first and foremost; we had to upskill and learn things like accountancy and day to day management skills for example, vital for building the business. Board do and they do it well.” Like any business there are challenges and Brian explains they are competing in very competitive markets. Abtech deal with these challenges by focusing on quality and short lead times. With a fast turn around on orders and having invested in their own machinery they can work very efficiently and the client doesn’t have to wait. Abtech plan to keep growing and continue to increase their business. They have recently moved from a 2000 sq ft premises to a new purpose built 7000 sq ft unit to accommodate future expansion. Most of their clients are long term so much of the business is repeat which is testament to the quality they are so focused on. This is what the Enterprise
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Digino – Tipperary North
www.diginomarketing.com Digino is a full service digital marketing agency with their suite of services including online advertising, website design, e-mail marketing, search engine marketing, emerging media strategies and visitor analytics. The company helps industry leaders such as Ryanair, Irish Ferries, 3V, Renault, Failte Ireland, StayCity.com and Getcover.com use digital channels to acquire and retain customers, build brands, enhance profitability and grow their organisations. The company employs 10 full-time staff. Digino Marketing Ltd was incorporated on the 21st March 2001 and the Directors and Shareholders of the company are Ed Field and his wife Caroline. The company won a Golden Spider Internet Award in 2005 and is recognised by Google™ as Google™ Ad Word qualified company. Back in 1997, having just started a new role in San Francisco with CBS Westinghouse, Digino founder Ed Field (pictured below) frequently used the fledgling search engine Alta Vista to help him get established in his new home. Ed found that he could quickly and easily research, purchase and make contact with a wide variety of people and businesses. This experience led to a realisation that search engines were going to be a hugely important sales and marketing channel in modern business. Ed spent the next four years learning about and working in Search Engine Marketing (SEM). In 2001 he returned to Ireland and founded a dot com business which failed but Digino was to emerge from that venture. In January 2005 Ed took on his first full time employee and Digino has since evolved to become one of Ireland’s leading full service digital marketing agencies. The company traded initially from Limerick City and received Capital Grant Assistance from the Tipperary North County Enterprise Board in 2006 towards the cost of establishing their new facility in Ballina. Digino is currently participating in the Plato MidWest Network and has availed of a number of the Board’s Soft Supports over the years.
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Ivowen Ltd – Tipperary South
www.ivowen.com Ivowen Ltd was set up in June 2002 to cater to the growing needs of generic pharmaceutical companies in the fields of Regulatory Affairs consultancy and Project Management. Ivowen was established by Majella Ryan and Kay O Shea (pictured right) - both qualified chemists – who had worked for large multinational generic pharmaceutical companies in both EU and non-EU marketing areas. Starting out with only two employees, the company has now five full time employees, catering for the needs of pharmaceutical companies who wish to get licences for their products in the EU. The company focus on development and licensing of generic medicinal products and run in-depth, on site training courses on all aspects of drug development, tailored to each client's specific needs. Ivowen provides regulatory affairs support as consultants to pharmaceutical companies based in the European Union, in EU accession states and worldwide on the successful development and timely registration of their products in the EU and other markets. The company has benefited from mentoring assistance and employment grants from South Tipperary Enterprise Boards and regularly participate on the board’s training programmes.
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Waterford and Suir Valley Railway Co (WSVR)
www.wsvrailway.ie Since opening in 2003 offering a 40 minute trip on six kilometers of the abandoned Waterford – Dungarvan route (from the station at Kilmeadan to Carriganore) over 100,000 visitors have taken a ride on this unique tourist attraction. In 2007 alone 22,000 visitors experienced the beauty of the Suir Valley from a partially opened carriage as they took in the panoramic views of the river and rolling farmland of Waterford, offering a glimpse into the world famous Mount Congreve Gardens and the Viking site in Woodstown. This is an area rich in history and only accessible by train. Whilst busiest over the summer months Waterford and Suir Valley Railway has extended the product range to bring this wonderful attraction to a broader audience through the Summer-Sunset Express, the Halloween-Spooky Express and the Santa Express in December.
Waterford and Suir Valley Railway has worked with Waterford City Enterprise Board since 1999 when the enterprise board gave a group of Waterford business people a feasibility study grant to assess the viability of developing one of Waterford’s abandoned railway lines as a tourist attraction. It was through this study the decision was made to develop this section of the Waterford – Dungarvan Railway. This was the beginning of the Waterford & Suir Valley Railway. In 2001 a capital grant from Waterford City and Waterford County Enterprise Boards enabled the purchase of two carriages and a Simplex diesel Locomotive – called the Enterprise 3 in recognition of the Enterprise Boards support. In addition in 2000 the Enterprise Board assisted with the production of a brochure and sponsorship programme to raise money to develop the railway and in 2002 through the Empower Initiative helped the Waterford & Suir Valley Railway to create a website to promote the companies activities. 21
Plans for the future include the purchase of a new 50 seat rail coach, to build a platform and car park in Bilberry and to extend the track into Waterford City which would permit the operation of a light rail commuter service between Waterford City and the Waterford Institute of Technology at Carriganore, Woodstown Viking Site, Mount Congreve Gardens and Kilmeaden. This will give access to a much wider market and the railway will operate on a full time basis guaranteeing tourist growth and employment. What a way to travel!
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Kelmsworth Ltd c/o Peter Curren - Westmeath
www.curranhurling.com Established in 1984, Kelmsworth Ltd manufactures a range of indoor hurleys, outdoor hurley, solithors, lead dressers (tools) and sports training goods at their facility close to Mullingar. produces an outdoor hurley which has been established in the market place for 23 years. Having played hurling at club and county level for Westmeath, the promoter Peter Curran saw the opportunity to turn his passion into a viable business. Since inception the promoter has always placed emphasis on new product development. He has developed a number of innovative and patented indoor and outdoor hurleys and solithars which are being widely used throughout Ireland and abroad for the development, coaching and promotion of hurling as a safe and fun game to play. The company’s customers are located in Ireland, England and the USA and the future path of the business is to become a one stop shop for all hurling requirements. The business also produces lead dressers which are exported to three distributers who sell throughout the U.K., Ireland and South Africa The company currently employs 11 full time and two part time staff. Kelmsworth Ltd received a capital grant from Westmeath County Enterprise Board which helped the business to expand and purchase new machinery. The company
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APEX Geoservices Ltd - Wexford
www.apexgeoservices.ie
APEX Geoservices Ltd. was founded in September 2001 by Peter O’Connor and Yvonne O’Connell to provide specialised geophysical and geological services to the engineering, environmental and natural resource sectors. Clients include consulting engineers, private companies, state, semi-state and local authorities. Based in Kilanerin, near Gorey in Co. Wexford and in Melbourne, Derbyshire in the UK the company currently employs 14 full-time staff and additional part-time staff in Ireland and three full-time staff in the UK. The company promotes the use of non-invasive geophysical techniques as an important part of ground investigation programs for engineering and environmental projects, which when used together with drilling, trial pits and other direct methods, can increase the overall level of knowledge of the subsurface conditions. “The initial outlay for purchasing the specialised equipment for the business was considerable and it took time to get everything in place, however we were fortunate that we started the business at a time of unprecedented growth in the construction industry. The increase in EU regulations in terms of the requirements for enviromental impact studies also increased the demand for our service, and because our work is non invasive it is generally more acceptable to land owners than traditional investigation methods such as drilling and trial pits” says Peter. “Peter has been working in geophysics since the 1980’s, so he was well known in the market place and we received a lot of goodwill when we started because of that. Our service complements existing methods for example previously a drill hole would be bored every 100 metres, but it was necessary to guess what was in between. We can now provide continuous information between drill holes. Initally some clients would have been sceptical of the data, but once they could see that the results were accurate it generally lead to repeat business” explains Yvonne. Since it started APEX Geoservices Limited has been supported by Wexford County Enterprise Board and 24
the company received the Enterprise of the Year Award in 2006 going on to represent Wexford in the National Enterprise Awards. The company has received assistance in the form of a feasibility study grant, attendance at trade fairs and website development. “Our expertise is on the technical side, we don’t have a business background, so we found the training and mentoring programmes very beneficial. The trade fair grant enabled us to attend an industry conference in Seattle, which helps us to keep abreast of developments in the market. We have also recently been approved for a capital equipment grant which will enable us to upgrade and extend our equipment pool. This means we will have a full set of some of the most modern equipment available worldwide. Down the line we plan to develop further into the UK market and mainland Europe, particularly the Eastern European countries” says Peter.
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SelfCatering.ie - Wexford
www.selfcatering.ie Mary Power was in effect born into self catering. Her parents had a few holiday homes in West Cork and their care and attention to detail had the same clients coming back for over 40 years. SelfCatering.ie (then known as SelfCatering Ireland) in 1998. What started off as a home run business with just nine properties in Rosslare has now grown into a business with over 3,000 properties on its books and a multi million euro turnover. “Initially my focus was on managing and renting holiday homes in the Southeast, but in a short time we expanded nationwide and four years on we switched to rentals only. Our online strategy has been hugely successful and visitors to the website now total almost 40,000 per month. In December 2006, we expanded our offering to include holiday homes and villas in France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Canada, USA, Crete, Italy and we’re adding Croatia and other destinations for 2008. Because of our long established reputation in the domestic market customers trust our website to book their overseas holidays, they also like the fact that we are an Irish owned and Irish run operation” she says. Power believes that a large amount of her success is due to the fact that she did not just focus on the tourism industry but on the travel industry as a whole and built a team around her that bring complimentary strengths and talents to the business. “We don’t just sell self catering holidays; we sell the destination and the experience. Having a strong team around you is crucial to running a successful organisation. You also need to stay very focused on the end line and build a strong business plan that can change if needed.” SelfCatering.ie has been supported from the outset by Wexford County Enterprise Board with both staffing and equipment grants and through the mentoring programme. They are also involved in the school enterprise programme. 26 Mary identified a niche in the market when she managed a holiday complex in Rosslare, setting up
Drapeage - Wicklow
www.drapeage.com Drapeage Ltd. truly is a unique business - the only Irish company to manufacture and supply ‘blackout’ drapes and decorative background materials for the entertainment industry. Established since 2001 Drapeage is based in the new Network Enterprise Park in Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow. Founded by Dave Maxwell and Paul Solino, Drapeage Ltd. manufacture high quality drapes, ‘blackout’ cloths, tracking and soft goods set material, which is used as a backdrop at theatres, concert venues, corporate events, exhibitions and on TV and film sets. The ever increasing range of fabrics and drapes all ship with the relevant Fire Certificates. ‘Blacking out’ the background of a stage is an important element in the organisation of any event. 35% of corporate events and functions today are held in temporary structures, and even those that are held in permanent structures require the services that Drapeage Ltd. provides. Dave Maxwell has a background as a successful lighting designer, and Paul Solino as a freelance lighting technician. Drapeage has catered for events on a worldwide scale including Formula 1 Grand Prix, the MTV European Music Awards 1995 (London), the Oasis and Eric Clapton world tours etc. Drapeage Ltd. is also experts in ‘tracking’ and ‘kabuki’ systems. These systems involve the unveiling of an area/product at an event, and are used most frequently at sports events such as Formula 1 races. Drapeage Ltd. sell and also lease drapes and blackout cloths. They currently hold the largest rental stock of LED Digital Starcloth in Europe (used for a ‘night-sky’ background at concerts etc.). The company’s main customers are events organizers, exhibition companies, theatre companies, concert promoters, schools, colleges and TV & Film production companies. Approximately 35% of sales derive from exports – to international events organisers and concert promoters. The company currently employs 10 people full time and employment numbers are increasing as the company grows. The company has worked closely with Wicklow County Enterprise Board to further develop the business – with supports from Capital Grants to ongoing contact and mentoring.
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