Limerick’s DesignPro clinches top Enterprise Award

A Limerick-based mechanical engineering firm took the top prize at last night’s National Enterprise Awards, beating 30,000 other small businesses. The awards recognise the leaders from among the 30,000 small businesses who received support from County or City Enterprise Boards last year.

DesignPro from Newcastle West in Co Limerick, was crowned the overall winner by Minister for Jobs Richard Bruton.

DesignPro was set up by mechanical engineer Paul Collins in his spare bedroom in 2004. The business provides precision machine-building services and now counts Oral-B andBoston Scientific among its clients. After doubling in size over the last two years, the company employs fourteen people and has recently expanded to a second production facility in Limerick.

Electronic manufacturer Aaron Value Adding Services took the second of four prizes, winning in the ‘Innovation in Product Development’ category. The company, which was given funding by Clare County Enterprise Board, employs 10 people at a plant in Shannon. Its customers include semi-conductor, oil and gas, renewable energy and rally car businesses who are based in Europe and the US.

Food businesses also excelled. Chia Bia from Tramore in Co Waterford, took the ‘Best Export Business’ award and Solaris Botanicals from Galway City took the ‘Best Start Up Business’ prize. Source: The Irish Independent