Today, fourteen awards were bestowed on the best in business in County Tipperary. The Tipperary Business Awards hosted by the County Tipperary Chamber of Commerce were open to any Tipperary based business and the awards ceremony took place virtually. The awards received their greatest number of applications on record and an independent judging panel led by Gillian Barry of the Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest (TÚS), formerly LIT handled the entire adjudication process.
The Overall Tipperary Business of the Year Award sponsored by Boston Scientific went to Buttimer Engineering, a diversified mechanical engineering company, specialising in bulk materials handling systems and high-quality steel fabrication. Based in Cahir, County Tipperary, they operate in a wide range of industries serving clients in Ireland, the UK and Europe. Over the last 40 years, Buttimer Engineering has grown its team to over 100 employees. Their application wowed the judges as it illustrated a remarkable strategy in the areas of innovation, growth, value proposition to its customers and its contribution to the region. Their level of open innovation, partnership and a deep understanding of their customers’ needs to ensure their position as a market leader in the bulk material handling sectors remains strong is exemplary.
Speaking of the win Fergal Buttimer said “We are delighted to win this award, it really means so much and I would like to thank the County Tipperary Chamber of Commerce and all the sponsors who supported today’s event. This award is a testament to the hard work, expert skills and vision of the entire staff at Buttimer Engineering and a brilliant boost for everyone on the team. We are privileged to be in such highly esteemed company today and congratulations to all the winners.”
Chamber President, Paula Carney-Hoffler commented “It’s been a tough couple of years for everyone, a war of attrition for many of us in the business community but the resilience, adaptability and tenacity of the Tipperary Business Awards winners has really shone through this afternoon and given everyone a great lift. There is no doubt about it, the future for Tipperary businesses is bright, in fact, we were blown away by the sheer volume of entries received in the start-up and new emerging business category sponsored by the Local Enterprise Office, so watch this space.”
Sr. Eileen Fahey the founder of Aiséirí won the prestigious President’s Award. In 1983, she set up the treatment centre for those struggling with addiction and their families. To this day Aiséirí is a place where there is a wealth of understanding, care and experience, that can help those living in the despair of addiction, take the first vital step to recovery.
Sr. Eileen commented “What a brilliant awards ceremony that was, I am overwhelmed if I’m honest but so very grateful to receive this award from the County Tipperary Chamber of Commerce. I really feel that I am accepting this award on behalf of all the people who have been involved in Aiséirí since the early days, this award is for them. If this award helps to raise awareness that there is help available to anyone struggling with addiction and they take the first step towards recovery as a result of it then it will be all the more special indeed, a miracle no less and I have seen many great miracles happen at Aiséirí.”

1. Online webinar recordings:

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has published a series of recent webinars to its YouTube channel. This channel now has an extensive playlist of 70+ videos covering important information related to the impact of Brexit on Irish agri-food and agriculture. View the Department's YouTube playlist.


2. Documentation of inspection fees and arrivals to Dublin Port
It has also published two other relevant documents, including:

• A Trader Notice on inspection fees
• A Revenue booklet with advice on drivers using Dublin Port. This includes details of the five channel options for arrivals into Dublin Port.

Minister for Justice Heather Humphreys has moved to clarify the operation of outdoor seating areas as licensed premises return to full trading hours from today, October 22nd.
 
Earlier this year, Minister Humphreys brought in legislation to allow relevant outdoor seating areas to operate lawfully. This legislation is due to expire on November 30th 2021, but can be extended for six months and Minister Humphreys has announced her intention to introduce such an extension.
 
The Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021 introduced changes to allow for the sale and consumption of alcohol in relevant outdoor seating areas.
 
This applied where those outdoor seating areas have been permitted by the relevant local authority on public land, such as a path, or where they are on private land abutting the licensed premises, such as an abutting yard, as provided for in the Act.
 
These outdoor areas, by virtue of the Act, were subject to the same trading hours as applied to the licenced premises itself – which, until now, have been Covid restricted trading hours. From today, however, the restricted hours no longer apply and normal trading resumes.
 
The Minister is conscious the extension of the licensed premises to private land outdoor seating areas was not made in the application for the licensed premises.
 
Given the emergency nature of the legislation introduced earlier this year, and with trading hours returning to normal, Minister Humphreys therefore considers it appropriate to regulate the opening hours of outdoor seating areas which operate on private land abutting the licenced premises.
 
This is being done in the interests of communities and with the principles of fairness. The Department has been in contact with industry groups to inform them of these measures.
 
The regulation sets out that alcohol cannot be sold or consumed any day after 11 p.m. in the outdoor seating areas on private land abutting a licenced premises. The regulation will come into effect today, 22 October 2021.
 
This regulation is not intended to apply to:
 

• The trading hours permitted by local authorities for the authorised outdoor seating areas in public lands. The emergency legislation of last summer already provides for the adherence to the conditions of the permits granted by the local authorities (which include restrictions on trading hours).

 

• The existing conditions for trading hours attached to the licensed premises, which already includes an outdoor area within that license, and where such areas are not benefitting from the emergency Act.

 
 
Minister Humphreys said:
 
“I brought in emergency legislation to allow for outdoor seating areas to operate lawfully. This Act remains in place until 30 November 2021, but can be extended for up to 6 months at a time, with a positive resolution of the Houses of the Oireachtas.
 
“We want to ensure there is certainty for business and work is underway to proceed with an extension.
 
“As trading hours return to normal in line with the easing of certain Covid restrictions, I have introduced a pragmatic regulation for outdoor seating areas for private land abutting the licensed premises that are covered by the emergency legislation.
 
“This sets out that alcohol cannot be sold or consumed any day after 11 p.m. in the private land outdoor seating areas which benefit from the emergency legislation.
 
“This is in line with similar trading hour restrictions on the outdoor seating areas authorised by local authorities. It does not impact the trading hours attached to outdoor areas that are within the existing licensing arrangement as part of the licensed premises.”
 

The Tipperary Business Awards and Networking Event hosted by the County Tipperary Chamber of Commerce will take place virtually on Thursday, November 4th from 2.30pm. Here’s a closer look at a selection of categories and those shortlisted in each.


Micro Business of the Year, kindly sponsored by Medite Smartply. This award was open to micro businesses who could demonstrate how their organisation leverages its leadership, management systems, innovation, and strategy to out-perform the competition. The finalists in this category are; AV Star Systems, Glanta Hygiene Solutions and Nutrition by Laurann.
Always an important category, the award for Corporate Social Responsibility or Community Contribution made by any Tipperary based business is sponsored by Infosys BPM. Infosys BPM is actively growing its workforce to meet the increasing demand for its unrivalled end-to-end transformative digital BPM services for global enterprises. The finalists in this category are; Abbott Vascular, Boston Scientific and Templederry Renewable Energy Supply trading as Community Power.
Best Employer is an appropriate fit for category sponsor, County Tipperary Skillnet which provides exceptional training and subsidised educational support to businesses all across the county. The finalists are Boston Scientific, Fennessy's Hotel in Clonmel and Surecom Network Solutions.
Best in Technology and Innovation, kindly sponsored by Sepam demonstrates that the future is certainly bright thanks to the many Tipperary based businesses at the forefront of innovation and technology at home in Ireland as well as internationally. Shortlisted in this category are; Boston Scientific, Campion and Theradep Ltd.
The Not for Profit Award sponsored by Abbott Ireland recognises the tremendous efforts and tireless hard work put in by many who serve the greater good, the vulnerable and those less fortunate in their local communities. The finalists are; Carrick on Suir Meals Assistance, Jobs for Family Carers and Life Connections CLG.


The Best in Retail Award is kindly sponsored by the Showgrounds Shopping Centre in Clonmel. This category was open to any retail organisation in County Tipperary that could demonstrate innovative thinking and strategy that they intend to utilise in terms of finance, employment, new locations, growing customer base or use of online retail as part of their future vision in an evolving landscape. The finalists are; Laurel The Salon, The Gourmet Butcher and The Party Boutique.

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Golfers across County Tipperary are gearing up for a great networking opportunity with the Chamber next week.
The inaugural County Tipperary Golf Classic takes place next Thursday, 16th September,  on the magnificent grounds of Dundrum House Hotel.
The golf outing, our first live event since 2020, is generating a fantastic response from members and non-members alike.
Teams off four start teeing off from 12 noon, made possible by the generous sponsorship of our main sponsor, Peninsula Group Ltd. and supported by County Tipperary Skillnet.
The overall team will be presented with a perpetual trophy sponsored by Clonmel based jewellers, A&E Jewellers Ltd, based in the Showgrounds SC.
Entries are still open for individuals and teams alike. All enquiries to marketing@countytipperarychamber.com

Innovation Voucher Grant Scheme for Small Business with RIKON at WIT
Are you at a crossroads in your business? Looking to conduct in-depth exploration of an opportunity or challenge that you face? The 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗩𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗜𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 is one solution that’s available for you.
The Innovation Voucher grant scheme allows a registered knowledge provider to work alongside your business in researching your situation and then building your strategy going forward based on its findings.
RIKON at WIT is a research and strategy organisation based at Arc Labs in Waterford Institute of Technology (W.I.T) that specialises in delivering Innovation Vouchers to small and medium sized enterprises throughout Ireland.
Enterprise Ireland Vouchers, worth €5,000 are an excellent way for companies to explore a business opportunity or problem using the research expertise of experienced RIKON consultants (knowledge providers). Some of the services that can be explored using the Innovation Vouchers include:

• new product/process development
• new business model development
• new service delivery and customer interface (market exploration)
• process Optimisation
• new service development
• tailored training in innovation management

Eligibility 
The Innovation Voucher initiative is open to all small and medium-sized limited companies registered in Ireland. This means a company with less than 250 full-time employees and either an annual turnover of less than €50 million or an annual balance sheet of less than €43 million. The Innovation Voucher scheme is best suited for companies that are VAT registered.
Sign up now by logging onto our website at https://www.rikon.ie/innovation-vouchers/ or to discuss call us today on 051-834032
 
Case Study 1 of Former Innovation Voucher Users:
https://www.rikon.ie/case-studies/lorimat-case-study/
Case Study 2:
https://www.rikon.ie/case-studies/mapping-customer-touchpoints-allows-movies-stay-ahead-sector-trends/
Case Study 3:
https://www.rikon.ie/case-studies/plasma-green/