Twenty four local firms vie for top honours at Limerick Chamber business awards
THE EFFORTS of small, medium and large companies and charities will be recognised this Friday night at the annual Limerick Chamber business awards.
Eight companies from across the region will be honoured at what is the biggest night in Limerick's business calendar.
More than 400 business leaders will be at the Limerick Strand Hotel for the annual Limerick Chamber business awards, which will double up as its president Donal Cantillon's annual dinner.
It's the first time an evening ceremony has taken place this decade - Covid-19 restrictions put paid to the event in 2020, while last year, a scaled-back lunchtime ceremony took place with the pandemic still at large.
The Limerick Leader/Limerick Live is once again the media partner to the event, whose title sponsor is the Technological University of the Shannon.
BEST EMPLOYER: Employee Value Proposition Award
Cook Medical
One of Limerick's largest employees, Cook Medical has more than 1,000 people on its books in the National Technology Park in Plassey. A family-owned company, it exists to work with physicians to develop devices which are less invasive for patients.
Three Ireland
A former winner of this category, mobile and data network provider Three Ireland operates a customer service centre also in the National Technology Park at Plassey. More than 500 people work for the company, while Three also operates a number of high-street retail outlets across the region.
Stryker
Based in the Raheen business park, Stryker is another mainstay of Limerick's economy. A wide and diverse range of its products are manufactured locally including hip and knee system implants, bone cement, surgical blades and micro-rotary burs which are used for cutting, drilling, burring and shaping bone and soft tissue during orthopaedic, spine, ear, nose, throat and plastic surgery.
BEST NOT-FOR-PROFIT AWARD
St Gabriel's Foundation
A well-loved local charity, St Gabriel's Foundation provides a range of specialist services and therapeutic interventions for children with disabilities from the Mid-West. Some 64 children with disabilities attend St Gabriel’s special school situated on the Dooradoyle campus, while it finally opened a new respite centre in Mungret last year after the complex lay idle for a number of years due to lack of funding.
Rape Crisis Mid-West
Rape Crisis Mid-West, formerly the Limerick Rape Crisis Centre is a regional organisation founded in 1980. From humble beginnings, it began when a small group of dedicated people began to offer rape crisis support in hotel lobbies and using their cars as counselling rooms. Since 2004, it's been based at Phoenix House in Punch's Cross.
Helium Arts
Helium Arts empowers children living with lifelong physical health conditions through their creativity and the arts, inspiring those who care for them and supporting creative healthy environments, while creating opportunities for artistic ambition and excellence.
SUPPLY CHAIN INNOVATION AWARD
GGL Security
Based in Limerick city centre, but with a reach across the globe, GGL Security was established in 1994 by Gerry O'Shea who enjoyed a distinguished career with An Garda Siochana. The firm initially focused on cargo and transport protection expanding with the growth of this industry to become a world leader in the freight and logistics security arena. Today, it has operations throughout Europe, South Africa, Russia and North America.
Impact Labelling
A family firm, located at the Eastlink Business Park in Ballysimon Road, Impact Labelling has been manufacturing labels since 1995. In that time, it's become one of the top names in the industry, and its label designs can be found on many local and household name products.
Dansko Foods
A first nomination from county Limerick's Dansko Foods whose local operation is in Kilmallock. Founded in 1986 by Kieran O'Neill and his wife Anne, the dairy firm supplies butter, cheese and cream products at a global level. The unique name is an amalgamation of all of their family members’ initials (David, Anne, Suzanne, Kieran and O’Neill).
BEST SME CONTRIBUTION TO THE REGION AWARD
Serosep
An Annacotty-based firm which employs 150 people here, and in Britain, Serosep offers easy to use diagnostic solutions. Founded in 1997, the firm was last year named Medtech Company of the Year, and will be hoping to add a Chamber business award to boot.
OBW Technologies
Employing 50 people at Ballysimon Road, OBW Technologies has grown to become one of the leading global providers of portable and fixed gas detection instruments and solutions. Its a family-owned company managed by JJ and Sharon O’Brien, and is the largest independent gas detection solutions provider in Ireland.
DesignPro
DesignPro is a group of three distinct companies that are leading providers of precision automation and machine build services. The firm covers a number of industries such as automotive, medical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, electronics and renewables. Based in Rathkeale, the three companies are: Design Pro Automation, Design Pro Renewables, and DesignPro Robotics.
BEST EMERGING BUSINESS AWARD
Eleven14
Located in Annacotty, Eleven14 was launched on International Coffee Day last year. It's run by Munster and Ireland rugby international Keith Earls, who chose the unique name as it reflects the two positions he plays on the field.
Agri Guardian
A Castletroy-based firm founded by James Power, who is a graduate of the Technological University of the Shannon's New Frontiers programme. Agri Guardian provides a wearable device for farm safety. There are two versions of this - one for children and another for adults. The child’s device can be used to alert parents or guardians when a child has entered the farm. The adult’s version of the device can detect falls and slurry gas levels.
Thomondgate Whiskey
Reviving the tradition of distilling whiskey on the northside of the city, Nicholas Ryan wants to restore Limerick's' place in the world of the spirit.
EXCELLENCE IN CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE AWARD: RETAIL AND HOSPITALITY
Woodlands House Hotel and Spa
Woodlands House Hotel, Adare began life more than 40 years ago as a four-bedroomed bed-and-breakfast run by Mary and the late Dick Fitzgerald as a way to supplement their farming income.
Today, it is an 89-room award-winning four-star hotel employing more than 200 people.
Adare Manor
Five-star hotel and resort based in the village of Adare, the venue welcomed some of the world's top golfers and media personalities earlier this year as its owner JP McManus staged his first Pro-Am since 2010. In 2027, it will play host to the Ryder Cup golf tournament, giving Limerick yet more international exposure.
Lidl Ireland
A German discount retailer with six branches across Limerick. As part of an aggressive expansion drive, the company is opening a new store at Dock Road, with construction of this under way, as well as at Ballysimon Road.
BEST SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS AWARD
Aoife McNamara
With fast-fashion sparking concerns over its impact on the environment, Adare-based designer Aoife McNamara has set up a unique brand. Founded in 2019, she creates garments inspired by nature, to protect nature.
A second nomination for the five-star hotel at this year's Limerick Chamber business awards. Set on an 840-acre estate, Adare Manor is a Neo-Gothic manor hotel and golf resort.
Another company making its second appearance in this year's Chamber business awards nomination list. Stryker has five facilities in Cork, as well as Raheen, plus one in Belfast.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD: CREATIVE COLLABORATION/ CONTRIBUTION
Ideam Industry Cluster
Based at the Technological University of the Shannon's Moylish campus, Ideam is an industry-driven cluster organisation bringing together industry, academia and government to represent the needs of the advanced manufacturing sector in Ireland.
ILoveLimerick
Founded in 2008 by Limerick Leader columnist Richard Lynch, ILoveLimerick is a creative project motivated and inspired by local people and focused entirely on the citizens of city and county.
National Learning Network
The National Learning Network in the Raheen business park offers a range of free courses to people who have had an accident, illness, injury or have a disability and extra support needs.
See our website and social media channels this Friday night for coverage from the awards ceremony