A MANUFACTURING company from Kill, that uses modern techniques to design and craft lifestyle and corporate goods, is representing Kildare at the National Enterprise Awards.

Alan and Gary McCormack from Carveon won the top prize at the County Enterprise Awards competition.

The local company, which employs five people was set-up in 2011. It will now be going head-to-head with 30 other high achieving businesses, to win a share of the €20,000 national prize fund.

The announcement of the winner and presentation of prizes was made by Mayor of Kildare Brendan Weld at a ceremony in the council chamber on Monday 21 March.

The other finalists who received certificates on the day were: Terra Liquid Minerals, Tan Organic, Dunleavy Bespoke, Sweetspot Sourcing and Party Mad.

Run every year by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices in the local authorities network, the National Enterprise Awards were set-up to celebrate the achievements of Ireland’s micro-enterprise sector.

Previous national winners have included companies such as Irish Yogurts from West Cork, DesignPro from Limerick, Simtech Aviation from Fingal, Innovate IT and Telecoms from Wexford, Hot Irishman Irish Coffee (Walsh Whiskey Distillery) from Carlow, along with Grouse Lodge Recording Studios from Westmeath.

According to Mary Foley, Acting Head of the Local Enterprise Office Kildare, the county has a growing number of small business success stories to showcase. “We support hundreds of small businesses and start-ups every year, as the first stop shop for enterprises in the county. From start-ups setting up to small businesses looking to expand, the Local Enterprise Office supports, mentors and develops entrepreneurs every step of the way,” she said. “The National Enterprise Awards are a way of shining the international spotlight on their success stories, giving local businesses the recognition they deserve. The county has a vibrant start-up and small business community and this awards competition is an important way of telling their success stories.”

The local winner meets the judging panel in April, for a chance to win one of 12 awards and the top prize of €10,000 for their business at the National Enterprise Awards ceremony on 9 June ^. Entrepreneurs are judged on areas such as company competitiveness, use of technology, responsiveness to market trends alongside their own leadership qualities.