PRESS RELEASE

MANUFACTURING COMPANY FROM KILLALOE TRIUMPHS AT

2004 NATIONAL ENTERPRISE AWARDS

A manufacturing company supplying modular and flexible machine frames, conveyors, workstations, machine guarding and safety zoning based in Killaloe, Co. Clare is the Innovation Award winner of the 2004 National Enterprise Awards sponsored by the City and County Enterprise Boards.

Solution Equipment Ltd. Owned by Paul McGrath and Pat Hayes was set up in 2001 and already employs ten people. Employees come from Limerick, Clare, and Tipperary.

The National Enterprise Awards competition run by the City and County Enterprise Boards, supported by the National Development Plan, is in its eighth year and recognises small businesses that represent the best of entrepreneurial activity in Ireland. The competition carries a prize fund in excess of €20,000. Solution Equipment Ltd. received a specially commissioned trophy and cheque for €2,500.

This year 28 firms competed in the National Enterprise Awards at national level, each having advanced as winners from their local City or County Enterprise Board area. Entries were required to submit an official application form, business plan and audited accounts plus other supporting documentation.   An independent adjudication panel interviewed all entries at six centres around the country over the past number of weeks. The adjudicators were very impressed with the overall standard, particularly the quality and variety. The latter revealed the diversity of indigenous projects now emerging at county level including industrial manufacturing, services, hi-technology etc.   

Solution Equipment has already achieved significant employment levels and is contributing to the balance of payments by means of export sales and import substitution.

Speaking at the Presentation of Awards Ceremony, held in the Heritage Hotel, Portlaoise on Wednesday, 27 th October, 2004, the Minister for Trade and Commerce at the Dept. of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Michael Ahern, TD said that " Regional Development is a key objective of the National Development Plan 2000-2006. The Boards localised structure allows them to proactively identify and support innovative entrepreneurs who are keen to exploit emerging and alternative business investment opportunities. Working in co-operation with other local agencies, Boards play a significant part in supporting and realising this major Government policy ".

Other speakers at the Awards ceremony included, Maria Callinan, Chief Executive Officer of Laois Co. Enterpirse Board and Chairperson of the Association of Chief Executives of County Enterprise Boards, Pat Delaney Director of the Small Firms Association and well known sports personality Micheal O Muircheartaigh was Master of Ceremonies for the event.

Mr. Seamus O'Sullivan, chairman of Clare Co. Enterprise Board, who was present at the awards in Portlaoise congratulated Paul and Pat on their achievement and stated that it was encouraging to see this company basing its future on the platform of innovation. He acknowledged their success to date and wished them every success on their vision for the future.

Solution Equipment is providing solutions to manufacturing industry in the following areas.

•  Design & build of machine structure

•  Guarding on new and existing machines

•  Ergonomic workplace furniture

•  Lean assembly cell design and build

•  Safety Zoning

•  Linear motion

•  5 day Belt Conveyor solutions

•  Customised conveying solutions

All of the above are supplied from their newly built 6000 sq. ft full production facility in Killaloe just outside Limerick.   Work is now just starting on the addition of another 3000 sq. ft to facilitate recent expansion in business.

Photo (From left to right):Eamonn Kelly-Clare County Enterprise Board, Seamus O'Sullivan-Clare County Enterprise Board, Pat Hayes-Solution Equipment Ltd, Michael Ahern TD, Pat Shannon-Clare County Enterprise Board , Paul McGrath-Solution Equipment Ltd