Monday, November 28, 2011

Waterford City Enterprise Board – recognising local excellence

Three local businesses received accolades from Waterford City Enterprise Board last week as they picked up Best Business Awards at a reception in the Mayors Office.

The three companies, South Eastern Tyre Recycling Centre, DessertFirst and Marla.ie were presented with specially commissioned Irish Handmade Glass Trophies and the overall winner, Marla.ie, received a Waterford Crystal Perpetual Trophy.

The premise of the awards is to recognise excellence in SME’s and the

Mayor of Waterford Cllr. Pat Hayes along with Chairperson of Waterford City Enterprise Board, Bertie Rogers, praised the innovative ideas and dedication of the winners, adding that they have done so much to contribute to the local economy.

South East Tyre Recycling Centre Ltd. was a recipient of the Best Business Award. Established 18 months ago by Brian Bambury, the company recycles old and end of life tyres which are then converted into rubber chips for equine use. The rubber chips are used by horse trainers to improve racing performance and reduce training injuries. Although Brian was out of the country and unable to collect his award in person, he did comment that he was delighted with the award and the assistance he and his company has received from Waterford City Enterprise Board.

Another recipient of the Best Business Award was Margaret Fleming’s Dessert First. Ferrybank woman Margaret Fleming established the dessert and baked goods business in March 2010. In those short 18 months Margaret has gone from producing everything in her own kitchen to employing five full time and two part-time employees.

The winner of the Best Overall Business Enterprise Award was visual communications agency Márla.ie. Established in 2004, Sheila Gallogly joined Marla.ie in 2006 and has grown the company to service an expansive list of national clients including Neven Maguire, Superquinn, Sunshine Juice and The Irish Exporters amongst others.

According to Ciaran Cullen, Acting CEO of Waterford City Enterprise Board, the annual awards recognise innovation, dedication and commitment to building a successful enterprise. He added “Waterford City Enterprise Board is privileged to work with a host of start up and established businesses that have the focus and vision to generate ideas, to grow their business, to create jobs and to contribute to the local economy.”

Waterford Enterprise Board was established in October 1993 by the then Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and to provide direct grant-support to new and existing enterprises and promote entrepreneurship. Through a wide range of programmes including clinics, courses, enterprise development assistance and funding Waterford City Enterprise Board has assisted 24 start ups this year alone.

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