Minister Treacy Presents National Enterprise Awards

Mr. Noel Treacy T.D., Minister for Science, Technology and Commerce announced today (Tuesday 24th November, 1998) in Moran's Red Cow Hotel that the overall winner of the National Enterprise Awards is Irish Yogurts Limited of Scartagh, Clonakilty, Co Cork.

There were two highly commended winners chosen; Mileeven Ltd of Piltown, Co. Kilkenny; and Corragarry Turkeys of Cootehill, Co. Cavan.

The competition is sponsored by the City and County Enterprise Boards, Bank of Ireland and the Sunday Business Post. Over 450 companies participated in this years competition. The overall winner will receive £3000 cash and £2000 worth of soft supports and the runners up will each receive £1000 cash.

Congratulating the winner Irish Yogurts Limited Minister Treacy said "While the national climate for enterprise has been helpful, due acknowledgement must be paid to the people who take the risks, the people who put their hearts and souls into starting a small business. Irish Yogurts Limited is a fine example of this. The company was established in 1994 by Diarmuid O'Sullivan and it now employs 14 full-time and 9 part-time employees. The firms products are available in almost all retail outlets." The companies were judged against a number of parameters including potential growth, marketing strengths, degree of innovation, growth in sales revenue over the last 3 years, the financial strength of the company, financial commitment of the owner, level of profitability and numbers of people employed.

Minister Treacy said "These Awards provide valuable recognition to the many small businesses, which the County Enterprise Boards have supported over the years. They highlight the importance to the national economy and to our business culture of the need for people to be willing and able to start their own business. It is vital that we continue, through Awards such as this, to foster and encourage enterprise and small business in Ireland."