High-tech Rathkeale company wins top prize at Limerick Chamber Regional Business Awards
Design Pro Ltd wins SME award and overall accolade at event in the Limerick Strand Hotel
A HI-TECH Rathkeale company has been named Limerick's overall business of the year.
Design Pro Automation, which delivers solutions for clients across the medical devices, robotics and automotive industries were honoured with the top prize at the Limerick Chamber Regional Business Awards.
More than 400 business and political leaders were at the Limerick Strand Hotel for the black-tie event, with Taoiseach Simon Harris in that number.
Seven other companies from across the region were honoured, while there was also a special award from Chamber president Noel Gavin for Milford Care Centre, which has provided end-of-life support for generations of Limerick families through the years.
There were awards for Raheen firm DGD Shredding in the sustainability leadership category.
Elite Talent Hub, based in Limerick city centre, took the spoils in the best emerging busines category.
Meanwhile, Design Pro Automation won its first award of the night, the best SME business of the year.
WrxFlo based in University of Limerick's Tierney Centre took the prize in the innovation impact category.
And the best not-for-profit company award went to Helium Arts, a children's arts and health charity operating nationally.
University Concert Hall Limerick won in the excellence in customer experience category, while the best employer champion of employee wellbeing for development award went to Serosep, based at Annacotty.
Best contribution to the community award was given to Moore Limerick accountants which is based in Dooradoyle.
Redmond McDonnell, the chief executive of Design Pro was delighted with both awards his firm won.
"It means a lot to the company. It's peer recognition from the Limerick Chamber and the Mid-West community. It's confirmation of all the hard work we have put into where we have got today. That we are doing something right and it's being recognised. Onwards and upwards," he said.
Design Pro currently empoloys 60 people, the majority in Rathkeale, but also at sub-offices in Bulgaria and Malaysia.
"To win among the quality of companies in the Limerick area and among our peers, we are delighted. We think we did something right," Mr McDonnell added.
He praised the support Design Pro has received from the local community in West Limerick.
"It's a super community. The local community are fantastic from the traders in Rathkeale to the greater Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale area. We have some staff coming out to us from the city, but a lot of our staff come from Co Limerick. Predominantly, they'd come from west of Rathkeale, Newcastle West, Abbeyfeale, north Kerry and some areas of Cork. It's been an asset to us. There is a lot of strong technical ability out in Co Limerick. The local business community are superb," he said.
Michelle Gallagher, the chief executive of Limerick Chamber said: "We’re delighted to shine a light on the successes of all our winners and finalists. These businesses are part of the fabric of this great region and it’s so important for them to get this independent recognition and validation from our panel of judges. I’d like to extend a huge congratulations to everyone here tonight on an exceptional year in business."
Prof Vincent Cunnane, president of TUS, and sponsor of the overall Business of the Year Award said: “TUS plays a vital role in fostering emerging businesses in the Midwest. We believe that keeping young people in the region and offering them top class educational and training opportunities is the key to economic growth and prosperity into the future. It’s on nights like this that we see first hand the innovation, technology and incredible workforce that drives businesses to excel, and we want to continue to play our part in that through partnering with industry and in turn creating more jobs."